COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Affordable Housing: Coventry

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many affordable homes have been built in Coventry since May 2010; and what steps his Department has taken to increase the number of affordable homes in Coventry during that period.

Andrew Stunell: There were 303 affordable homes delivered in Coventry city council area between April 2010 and September 2011, the latest period for which data are available, as reported in the Homes and Communities Agency's six monthly National Housing Statistics. Data up to 31 March 2012 will be published by the Homes and Communities Agency on 12 June 2012.
	These statistics only cover affordable housing that is delivered through the Homes and Communities Agency's affordable housing programmes; affordable housing delivered outside these programmes is not included. New affordable housing can be delivered through new build and acquisitions, although the majority of the additional supply in Coventry was through new build.
	Total affordable completions, including those delivered outside the Homes and Communities Agency's programmes, are published annually in the Department's Affordable Housing Supply statistics available on the Department's website:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/affordablehousingsupply/livetables/
	We are investing £4.5 billion over the spending review period to deliver up to 170,000 affordable homes, compared with the 150,000 originally estimated. We estimate that this investment will lever in £15 billion of private sector investment.

Affordable Housing: Newton Abbot

Anne-Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many affordable homes have been (a) started and (b) completed in Newton Abbot constituency since May 2010.

Andrew Stunell: Data are not available by constituency area. There were 57 affordable homes started and 163 completed in Teignbridge district council between April 2010 and September 2011, the latest period for which data are available, as reported in the Homes and Communities Agency's six monthly National Housing Statistics.
	These statistics only cover affordable housing that is delivered through the Homes and Communities Agency's affordable housing programmes; affordable housing delivered outside these programmes is not included. Housing starts cover new build starts only while completions include both new build and acquisitions.
	Data up to 31 March 2012 will be published by the Homes and Communities Agency on 12 June 2012.
	Total affordable completions, including those delivered outside the Homes and Communities Agency's programmes, are published annually in the Department's Affordable Housing Supply statistics available on the Department's website:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/affordablehousingsupply/livetables/

Broadband: Rural Areas

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance he plans to provide parish councils on their general power of competence to provide a rural broadband service to residents.

Bob Neill: We have no plans to produce guidance on the general power of competence. How councils choose to use this power will be ultimately up to them. Separate advice on applying to the Rural Community Broadband Fund, which is open to parish councils, is available at:
	http://rdpenetwork.defra.gov.uk/funding-sources/rural-community-broadband-fund

Regulation

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department plans to respond to the Cabinet Office's red-tape review.

Grant Shapps: The Department for Communities and Local Government is leading on the ‘Housing and Construction' theme of the Cabinet Office's Red Tape Challenge, as well as contributing to other themes across Government. The ‘Housing and Construction' theme went live on the Red Tape Challenge website on 12 January 2012 and the results of this theme will be announced following its completion through the Red Tape Challenge process.

Regulation

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which housing regulations currently being consulted on by the Cabinet Office in its red tape review his Department has recommended be scrapped.

Grant Shapps: The Department for Communities and Local Government is currently in the process of reviewing housing regulations as part of the ‘Housing and Construction’ Red Tape Challenge theme. Our proposals are yet to be finalised but will be announced in due course.
	This review should be taken in context of the policies and measures announced in November's housing strategy. That strategy outlines how the Government are committed to better environmental standards; more affordable housing; security of tenure; legal protection for tenants and leaseholders; and support for the elderly, vulnerable households and those on low incomes.
	We have already taken a series of steps to cut unnecessary red tape, including abolishing home information packs, reducing burdens on short-term holiday lets and removing blanket regulation on houses of multiple occupation that would have reduced choice for tenants, and introduced new freedoms and flexibilities for social landlords via the Localism Act 2011. This review will help inform the scope for further reductions of such unnecessary and disproportionate red tape.

Coastal Areas

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will provide funding for marina projects in seaside resorts.

Grant Shapps: There are several funding regimes supported by the Government which could offer a potential source of financial help for marina projects in seaside resorts. The Coastal Communities Fund provides money for projects to support economic growth and jobs in coastal communities. Other possible sources of help include the Regional Growth Fund and the European Regional Development Fund.
	In January, my Department published a regeneration toolkit. This gives information on a range of tools and funding sources to help local areas to deliver growth and regeneration. A copy was placed in the Library of the House.

Community Development: Lancashire

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding his Department has provided to community projects in the Carnforth area in the last 12 months.

Grant Shapps: The Department for Communities and Local Government has not directly funded any projects in the Carnforth area in the last 12 months. The Department funds relatively few projects directly.

Council Housing: Waiting Lists

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether local authorities prioritise housing applications from homeless people who reside in sheltered housing or residential homes.

Grant Shapps: Local authorities deal with housing applications on a case by case basis. If a household is homeless through no fault of their own, eligible (certain categories of persons from abroad are ineligible) and in priority need then the local authority has a duty to ensure that suitable accommodation is available for them. The priority need categories include someone who is vulnerable because of old age, or physical or mental disability.
	Certain people must be given ‘reasonable preference' (i.e. priority) if they apply for social housing. This includes people who are homeless or owed certain duties under the homelessness legislation.

Empty Property

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to promote the refurbishment of empty and vacant homes.

Andrew Stunell: We have set aside £160 million to bring empty homes back into use. On 5 March, I announced almost £70 million of that funding for 95 projects that will bring over 5,600 properties back into use across the country, far exceeding original expectations of 3,300 homes. On 29 May, I announced that voluntary and community groups will receive over £25 million to bring properties back into use as affordable housing, ensuring another 1,500 properties that have been identified are lived in once again. 20 local authorities will also each receive a share of £60 million to tackle clusters of empty homes. Using match funding, this will ensure another 5,600 homes are brought back into use.
	Under the New Homes Bonus, local authorities earn the same financial reward for bringing an empty home back into use as building a new one. Over the first two years of New Homes Bonus, local authorities will have benefited from £63.2 million as a result of the 21,000 decrease in long-term empty homes.
	I have appointed George Clarke as an independent adviser on empty homes. It is also worth pointing out that the Local Government Finance Bill contains provisions for a discretionary empty homes premium on council tax to be introduced next year.

Empty Property: Bolton

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many empty homes there are in Bolton Metropolitan Borough.

Andrew Stunell: Data on empty homes can be found in the Department for Communities and Local Government live tables on dwelling stock. Live table 615 shows empty homes by local authority district.
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/stockincludingvacants/livetables/

Families: Disadvantaged

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities have agreed to participate in the troubled families programme.

Bob Neill: All 152 upper tier local authorities in England have now agreed to run the troubled families programme in their area.

Fires: Cigarettes

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people died in fires caused by cigarettes in 2011.

Bob Neill: Fire incident and casualty statistics are currently available for periods up to the end of September 2011. In the 12 months to September 2011, there were 78 fire-related deaths in England caused by smokers' materials, the category of source of ignition in which cigarettes are recorded.
	A decade ago, there were around 100 such fatalities each year. Following the recent introduction of fire safer cigarettes, it is expected that this number will fall further.

First-time Buyers

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding his Department allocated under the FirstBuy scheme in each region in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14 and (d) 2014-15.

Grant Shapps: The FirstBuy equity loan scheme will help an estimated 10,500 aspiring home owners in England by March 2013. The FirstBuy prospectus was published by the Homes and Communities Agency in April 2011 and allocations were announced in June of the same year. A list of FirstBuy allocations is available at:
	www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/sites/default/files/firstbuy-allocations-by-hca-operating-area.csv

First-time Buyers

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many house builders are participating in the Government’s FirstBuy scheme.

Grant Shapps: The FirstBuy equity loan scheme will help an estimated 10,500 aspiring home owners in England by March 2013. FirstBuy allocations to house builders were announced in June 2011 and 108 house builders have subsequently signed contracts with the Homes and Communities Agency to deliver FirstBuy.

First-time Buyers

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department has spent on promotional material for the Government’s FirstBuy Guarantee scheme.

Grant Shapps: The Department has not incurred any expenditure on promotional material for the FirstBuy scheme.

Flood Control: EU Grants and Loans

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how much European regional development fund funding has been given to support flood defence schemes in (a) England and (b) Yorkshire and Humberside in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what the criteria are for submissions for European regional development fund funding for flood defences.

Bob Neill: In the last five years, £1,571,212 of European regional development fund was given to one flood defence-related capital project in London. This was the only expenditure in the England fund programme on flood defence.
	No European regional development fund funding from the Yorkshire and the Humber Fund Programme has been committed to, or spent on, flood defence schemes in the last five years.
	Flood defences do not generally meet the criteria in the 2007-13 European regional development fund operational programmes although some applications have included aspects of flood defence.
	The criteria for submissions of project proposals are defined in each of the nine European regional development fund operational programmes in England. An applicant would need to consider those set out in the relevant operational programme and determine whether their proposal meets them. However, it is unlikely that a flood defence-related project would meet the criteria in most of the operational programmes as the four priorities for the 2007-13 programme are:
	Promoting innovation and knowledge transfer;
	Stimulating enterprise and supporting successful business;
	Ensuring sustainable development, production and consumption; and
	Building sustainable communities.

Food: Waste Disposal

Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities collect food waste separately from other waste.

Bob Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not hold this information. However the Waste and Resources Action Programme holds information about the number of local authorities that collect food waste. In the UK, 107 local authorities collect food waste separately from other waste. A further 95 local authorities collect food waste mixed in with garden waste and 10 local authorities collect waste in both of these ways. 194 local authorities do not collect food waste separately from other waste at all.

Food: Waste Disposal

Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities use anaerobic digesters to dispose of food waste that is collected separately from other waste items.

Bob Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not hold this information. However the Waste and Resources Action Programme holds information relating to the location of anaerobic digesters. These are located in: Aberdeenshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Cambridgeshire (two), Yorkshire, Devon, North Lanarkshire (two), Gloucestershire, West Yorkshire, Isle of Lewis, Suffolk, North Ayrshire, Leicestershire, Greater Manchester, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire (two), Oxfordshire (two), Perthshire, Plymouth, West Sussex, Hertfordshire, Staffordshire (two), Shropshire (two) and North Humberside. However, the Waste and Resources Action Programme does not hold data as to which of these anaerobic digesters use food waste collected by local authorities, and which simply process other feedstocks (for example pig slurry or abattoir waste).

Food: Waste Disposal

Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to discuss the role local authorities might play in reducing household food waste.

Bob Neill: The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), works closely with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), to ensure that we are reducing household waste and provide a comprehensive rubbish and recycling collections service to local taxpayers. To achieve this goal, officials in both departments have worked together in shaping the criteria of the Weekly Collection Support Scheme which will support local authorities to provide a weekly collection of waste alongside delivering environmental benefit and ensuring cost effectiveness.

Advertising: Google

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department and its agencies spent on advertising via Google Adwords since May 2010; and for what keywords.

Bob Neill: The Department and its agencies spent nothing on advertising via Google Adwords from May 2010 to April 2012. In order to ensure eligible tenants could easily find accurate online information about the changes to the reinvigorated Right to Buy scheme, approved by Parliament and effective from 1 April, the Department has spent £6,122 in total during April and May 2012 in directing traffic to the Right to Buy pages on the DirectGov website. The keywords most used are: right to buy, first time buyer(s), right to buy housing association, first time home buyer, right to buy scheme, council right to buy, buying your council home, buy my council house, right to buy council. Payment is by results—so only key words used by browsers to click through to the site are charged for, on a per click basis.
	To place this spending in context, from April 2009 to March 2010, the last Administration spent a total of £212,825 on Google Adwords, against 868 different keywords.

Green Belt

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer of 30 April 2012, Official Report, columns 1111-2W, on planning permission: green belt, what the very special circumstances are in which development may be permitted on green belt land under the National Planning Policy Framework; and how this varies from the previous planning rules in relation to green belt development.

Greg Clark: The National Planning Policy Framework maintains robust protections for green belt land.
	Paragraphs 87-88 of the framework are clear that “inappropriate development is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt and should not be approved except in very special circumstances” and that “‘very special circumstances' will not exist unless the potential harm to the green belt by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations.” This replicates the policy set out in the previous Planning Policy Guidance 2: Green Belts. Paragraphs 89-91 set out in more detail the forms of development that should be regarded as inappropriate and the limited exceptions to this.
	As with all national planning policies, these policies will be applied by decision-takers taking account of all the circumstances of a specific case.

Homes and Communities Agency: Housing

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many affordable homes were constructed by the Homes and Communities Agency in the last six months for which figures are available; and what the percentage rise or fall was compared with the previous six months;
	(2)  how many homes for social rent were constructed by the Homes and Communities Agency in the last six months for which figures are available; and what the percentage rise or fall was compared with the previous six months.

Grant Shapps: The Homes and Communities Agency publish statistics on housing delivered through their programmes for social rent and affordable housing. Data for the first six months of 2011-12 were published in November 2011, but exclude affordable housing supply provided outside their programmes, available at:
	http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/sites/default/files/aboutus/official-statistics-release-221111.pdf
	The Homes and Communities Agency have reported that they have exceeded their corporate plan targets for affordable housing this year. They will be publishing their official statistics for 2011-12 on 12 June 2012.
	The Homes and Communities Agency housing delivery programme has a cyclical financial profile, in that the rate of housing delivery under the former National Affordable Housing Programme has typically tended to gather pace in the second half of the financial year.
	The response from the sector to the Affordable Homes Programme reflects the Homes and Communities Agency’s partners’ appetite and capacity to develop, and is a solid position from which to deliver our aspiration for up to 170,000 new affordable homes by April 2015.
	This is a period of transition to the new programme and the Homes and Communities Agency have now signed contracts with 122 providers for around £1.7 billion on the Affordable Homes Programme against a budget of £1.8 billion.
	We have also asked the Homes and Communities Agency to explore options for accelerating delivery of their programme.

Housing

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of (a) households and (b) people in the (i) private rented, (ii) social rented and (iii) owner-occupier sector living in overcrowded conditions in (A) 2010 and (B) 2011.

Andrew Stunell: Levels of overcrowding and under-occupation are measured using the ‘bedroom standard’, which is the difference between the number of bedrooms needed to avoid undesirable sharing (given the number, ages and relationship of the household members) and the number of bedrooms actually available to the household.
	The answer is taken from the English Housing Survey 2010-11. Due to small sample sizes it is necessary to combine three years of data (2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11) together to form the estimates. Even so, there is uncertainty around these figures due to sampling effects. It was estimated that in private rented sector over a three year period, 187,000 households (5.6%) lived in overcrowded conditions, in the social rented sector it was 278,000 households (7.3%), and in the owner occupied sector it was 191,000 households (1.3%).
	It was estimated that in the private rented sector over a three year period, 787,000 people (10.0%) lived in overcrowded conditions, in the social rented sector it was 1,269,000 people (15.1%), and in the owner occupied sector it was 969,000 people (2.8%).

Housing: Construction

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effect of the coming-into-force of the National Planning Policy Framework on the Housing Market Renewal initiative.

Grant Shapps: No specific assessment has been made of the effect of the National Planning Policy Framework coming into force on the housing market renewal initiative as the initiative ended in March 2011. The National Planning Policy Framework, which was published on 27 March 2012, asks local planning authorities to identify and bring back into residential use empty homes and buildings in line with local housing and empty homes strategies.
	The last Administration's Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder scheme promoted wholesale demolition of homes. By contrast, this Government are actively promoting getting empty homes back into productive use.

Housing: Construction

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what proportion of all new (a) dwellings, (b) affordable homes and (c) homes for social rent in England were (i) flats and (ii) houses in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what proportion of new (a) affordable and (b) privately built homes had (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three and (iv) four or more bedrooms in each local authority area in each year since 1997; and what proportion of new (A) affordable and (B) privately-built homes were (1) flats and (2) houses in each local authority area in each year since 1997.

Andrew Stunell: Tables have been placed in the Library of the House which show the percentage of social rented and affordable homes delivered through the Homes and Communities Agency's Affordable Housing Programme by the number of bedrooms and by houses or flats for England and each local authority area. These figures are available only from the Homes and Communities Agency's Investment Management System, so will not cover the total number of affordable homes provided.
	Information on the proportion of new privately built homes by bedroom size and dwelling type for England and each region are published in Live Table 254 on the Department's website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/housebuilding/livetables/
	Corresponding data for each local authority area are not available.

Ministerial Meetings

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many meetings the Minister of State for Communities and Local Government has had (a) in total and (b) with journalists since May 2010.

Bob Neill: Details of Ministers' departmental meetings with external organisations, including meetings with newspaper and other media proprietors, editors and senior executives, are published at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/transparencyingovernment/ministerialdata

Ministerial Visits: Hull

Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on (a) how many occasions and (b) what dates the Minister for Housing and Local Government has undertaken an official visit to Hull since his appointment.

Bob Neill: Since May 2010, the following ministerial visits to Hull have been made by the Department for Communities and Local Government ministerial team:
	The Hull city council area, on 18 August 2011
	The Hull city council area, on 9 December 2011
	The recently appointed Independent Empty Homes Adviser visited the Hull city council area on 28 May 2012.

Listed Buildings

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many listed buildings had (a) approved alterations and (b) alterations carried out in (i) total and (ii) each region in 2011.

Bob Neill: The number of applications decided and granted on the alteration or extension of listed buildings in England and each Government region in 2011 is detailed as follows. Information is not available on the number of works actually carried out.
	
		
			 Number 
			  Decisions Granted 
			 North East 680 634 
			 North West 1,428 1,343 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 1,769 1,598 
		
	
	
		
			 East Midlands 1,828 1,673 
			 West Midlands 2,128 1,995 
			 East 3,955 3,658 
			 London 4,531 4,084 
			 South East 6,197 5,651 
			 South West 5,923 5,470 
			 National Park Authorities 484 450 
			    
			 England 28,923 26,556

Local Government: Intellectual Property

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2012, Official Report, columns 559-60W, on local government: intellectual property, what consideration he has given to expanding the definition of assets of community value under the Localism Act 2011 to include (a) local newspapers and (b) other assets which are intangible or are intellectual property closely associated with the community.

Andrew Stunell: The intention of the assets of community provisions in the Localism Act is to make it easier for community groups to take over buildings and other land to assist them in saving facilities threatened with closure. Therefore the provisions in the Localism Act 2011 enable only land to be an asset of community value.

Local Government: Intellectual Property

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2012, Official Report, columns 559-60W, on local government: intellectual property, whether any amendments to the Localism Act 2011 to include assets which are intangible or are intellectual property closely associated with the community within the definition of assets of community value in Wales could be made under powers delegated to the National Assembly for Wales.

Andrew Stunell: Section 87(1) of the Localism Act 2011 provides that it is land which may be listed as an asset of community value, and section 88 provides detail on the circumstances in which a building or other land is land of community value. There is no power to amend these provisions by regulations, for either England or Wales, to enable intangible or intellectual property to become assets of community value.

Departmental Staff

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many full-time equivalent employees his Department employed in May 2010; and how many it employed at the latest period for which figures are available.

Bob Neill: As at 31 May 2010, the Department for Communities and Local Government employed 2,108 staff (2,046 full-time equivalent). In addition, the Government offices for the regions employed 1,726 staff (1,646 full-time equivalent), of which 554 staff (527 full-time equivalent) were employed by the Department for Communities and Local Government. The Department's total staffing complement was thus 2,662 staff (2,573 full-time equivalent).
	As of 1 May 2012, the Department's staffing had reduced to 1,751 staff (1,702 full-time equivalent). The Government offices for the regions have closed.
	This May 2012 figure includes some transferred staff now undertaking residual activities of the Government offices for the regions and the regional development agencies, and staff transferred in from other bodies through machinery of government changes. The actual number of staff departures is thus greater than reflected in the figures.
	As part of the spending review settlement, the DCLG Group is making a collective 33% real terms saving against its running costs by 2014-15. This equates to savings of over £200 million by 2014-15. In addition, the Department will save a further £190 million from the closure of the Government offices for the regions, taking overall savings on administrative running costs to 42% across the DCLG Group by 2014-15. These savings reflect the coalition Government's agenda of decentralisation, ending the micromanagement of local government, the abolition of regional government, and the broader need to tackle the deficit left by the last Administration.

Departmental Staff

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many full-time equivalent employees have (a) left and (b) been recruited to his Department in the last two years.

Bob Neill: The information is as follows:
	Departures
	From 1 May 2010 to 1 May 2012, 977 staff (934 full-time equivalent staff) left the Department for Communities and Local Government. Additionally, 381 full-time equivalent staff employed by the Department working in the Government offices for the regions left the Department, due to the closure of the Government offices.
	Recruitment
	86 full-time equivalent staff have been recruited by the Department in the period 1 May 2010 to 1 May 2012. Half of these were recruited before the recruitment freeze began. 25 full-time equivalent of those recruited were civil service fast stream staff, who are exempt from the recruitment freeze, and another 13 were appointed on specialist fixed term contracts, of whom only three are still working in the Department.
	Transfers
	Some staff were transferred into the Department from the Government offices for the regions and regional development agencies (to undertake residual functions—such as European regional development fund administration) and from other bodies through machinery of government changes. As of 1 May 2012, 379 full-time equivalent transfers were still active and counted on the Department’s official headcount.
	Broader savings
	As part of the spending review settlement, the DCLG group is making a collective 33% real terms saving against its running costs by 2014-15. This equates to savings of over £200 million by 2014-15. In addition, the Department will save a further £190 million from the closure of the Government offices for the regions, taking overall savings on administrative running costs to 42% across the DCLG group by 2014-15. These savings reflect the coalition Government’s agenda of decentralisation, ending the micro-management of local government, the abolition of regional government and the broader need to tackle the deficit left by the last Administration.

Departmental Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what target he has set to reduce headcount across his Department, its non-departmental public bodies and Executive agencies in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government has recently completed a major programme of restructuring which began in October 2010. The Department's actual planned establishment for 1 November 2012 and going forward is 1,757 full-time equivalent staff.
	The Department's arm’s length bodies are expected to make significant savings over the spending review period, though no specific headcount targets have been set.
	As part of the spending review settlement, the Department for Communities and Local Government Group is making a collective 33% real terms saving against its running costs by 2014-15. This equates to savings of over £200 million by 2014-15. In addition, the Department will save a further £190 million from the closure of the Government offices for the regions, taking overall savings on administrative running costs to 42% across the Department for Communities and Local Government Group by 2014-15. These savings reflect the coalition Government's agenda of decentralisation, ending the micromanagement of local government, the abolition of regional government, and the broader need to tackle the deficit left by the last Administration.

Morecambe Winter Gardens Theatre

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding his Department plans to provide for the restoration of Morecambe Winter Gardens Theatre.

Grant Shapps: My Department currently has no committed plans to provide funding, although I understand that the Morecambe Winter Gardens Preservation Trust has submitted an expression of interest to the Coastal Communities Fund; any bid will be considered on its merits in due course.
	We are committed to helping coastal and seaside towns, and my Department works across Government to support efforts to promote their economic regeneration and strengthen their appeal as places to live, work and visit.
	The Coastal Communities Fund, launched earlier this year, supports the economic development of coastal communities by promoting growth and jobs. Other possible sources of help include the Regional Growth Fund and the European Regional Development Fund.
	In January, my Department published a regeneration toolkit. This gives information on a range of tools and funding sources to help local areas to deliver growth and regeneration. A copy was placed in the Library of the House.

Planning Permission

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  when his Department expects its review of planning guidance to conclude;
	(2)  with reference to the introduction of the National Planning Policy Framework in March 2012, which planning guidance he is reviewing; and if he will make a statement.

Greg Clark: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Chris Heaton-Harris) on 17 May 2012, Official Report, columns 246-47W.

Planning Permission

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what key performance indicators his Department plans to use to judge the success of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Greg Clark: The Department’s updated business plan for 2012-15 will be published shortly. This will include the indicators to be used to monitor progress in priority areas.

Planning Permission

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what timetable his Department has set to review the (a) National Planning Policy Framework and (b) the Localism Act 2011.

Greg Clark: Having shaped the development of the new National Planning Policy Framework, I am determined that Parliament should supervise its implementation, through future debates on planning policy. My Department is keeping implementation of the framework under review and will undertake a post-implementation review after the first year.
	There are no plans for a specific review of the Localism Act, which is in the process of being implemented, but we will comply with the requirements set out in the Sunsetting Regulations Guidance published in December 2011.

Planning Permission

Sarah Newton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on holding referendums on Neighbourhood Plans at the same time as political elections.

Bob Neill: The Government believe it is right that local authorities have the opportunity of holding neighbourhood planning referendums at the same time as other elections and referendums happening in the local area to reduce the burden on voters and better manage costs.

Poverty

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many adults of working age were living in income-deprived households in each (a) local authority area and (b) constituency in each of the last three years by the most recent indices of multiple deprivation data.

Andrew Stunell: We do not compile statistics on the number of adults of working age living in income-deprived households. However, the Indices of Deprivation 2010 do provide a count of people of all ages experiencing income deprivation and these are available for each local authority. We do not produce the indices of deprivation at constituency level.
	Summary indicators for local authority districts include the “income scale score”. This is a count of individuals experiencing income deprivation. It includes adults of working age, older people, children and asylum seekers. The data are available at the following link (see column G—income scale):
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/xls/1871689.xls
	It is not possible to provide these estimates for the last three years as the indices of deprivation are not compiled every year. The Indices of Deprivation 2010, published in March 2011, are the most recent indices and have updated the 2007 indices. Most of the indicators are based on 2008 data.
	There are alternative measures of the number of people in income deprivation. The Department for Work and Pensions publishes estimates of the number of working-age adults falling below various thresholds of contemporary median income for the United Kingdom, based on the Family Resources Survey, but these are not available at local authority level. Please see Table 5.3tr in the publication “Households Below Average Income—An analysis of the income distribution 1994/95-2009/10 May 2011” which is available at the following link:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/hbai/hbai2010/index.php?page=contents

Private Rented Housing

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the total amount spent by local authorities on the enforcement of housing quality standards in the private rented sector was since May 2010.

Andrew Stunell: This information is not held centrally.

Private Rented Housing

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will take steps to encourage closer partnerships between private landlords and local authorities.

Andrew Stunell: Many local authorities already do excellent work in partnership with private landlords where that helps to address local priorities. They do this through training, accreditation and awareness-raising, alongside direct engagement through local letting agencies and private leasing schemes. We welcome these schemes, but know that they work best when tailored to local circumstances, and have no plans for any top down intervention from central Government.

Private Rented Housing

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department has considered providing incentives to encourage private renting rather than home ownership.

Andrew Stunell: Both home ownership and private renting have an important place in the housing market. They fit different people's needs and aspirations at different times in the housing cycle. Recent growth in the size of the private rented sector underlines how it can respond flexibly to changing circumstances. This growth was achieved in response to the market conditions and without any specific intervention from my Department. We continue to support the sector by ensuring that it is not overburdened with unnecessary regulation.

Redundancy

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many of his Department's employees have been made redundant in the last two years.

Bob Neill: 977 staff left the Department for Communities and Local Government in the period 1 May 2010 to 1 May 2012. They did so for a variety of reasons including redundancy, retirement, resignation, transfer and early exit.
	Of these, 466 were made redundant, seven on a compulsory basis. All others left on a voluntary basis.
	Additionally, 765 staff were made redundant from the Government Offices for the Regions and 192 were employed by the Department. Of those 765 staff who were made redundant, 154 were made redundant on a compulsory basis, 58 of whom were employed by the Department.
	As part of the spending review settlement, the DCLG Group is making a collective 33% real terms saving against its running costs by 2014-15. This equates to savings of over £200 million by 2014-15. In addition, the Department will save a further £190 million from the closure of the Government Offices for the Regions, taking overall savings on administrative running costs to 42% across the DCLG Group by 2014-15. These savings reflect the coalition Government's agenda of decentralisation, ending the micromanagement of local government, the abolition of regional government, and the broader need to tackle the deficit left by the last Administration.

Right to Buy Scheme

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether it is his policy that like-for-like replacements under Right to Buy will be (a) provided in the local area, (b) at the same rent levels and (c) with the same number of bedrooms.

Grant Shapps: For the first time ever, this Government have committed to re-invest the additional receipts from right to buy sales in new affordable rented housing. Our aim is, across the country as a whole, to deliver a new home for each additional home sold under the reinvigorated right to buy. We are inviting local authorities with an appetite to replace homes sold under the right to buy to enter into an agreement with us that allows them to retain and spend the additional funds on replacement homes for affordable rent. It will be up to individual local authorities to decide on the appropriate replacement housing mix to meet the needs of their area.
	Any receipts not used locally will be pooled and re-invested in new affordable housing by the Homes and Communities Agency (in London, the Greater London Authority) to provide homes across England—local authorities will be able to bid for this money as well.

Right to Buy Scheme

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the oral answer of 12 March 2012, Official Report, column 14, to the hon. Member for Reading East (Mr Wilson) on Right to Buy, how his Department arrived at the estimate of 100,000 sales and replacements.

Grant Shapps: This Government want as many tenants as possible to meet their aspirations to become home owners. We have forecast the additional and total Right to Buy sales using the Department's Affordability Model—an econometric model developed by academics at Reading University. These forecasts are set out in the Right to Buy impact assessment which was published on 12 March, available at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/rightobuyia

Social Rented Housing

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many social homes were vacant for a period of more than six months in each local authority area in 2011.

Andrew Stunell: Figures on housing association-owned social rented homes which are long-term vacant in each local authority district area are published on the Department for Communities and Local Government website in live table 615, available at the following link. Data on the duration of vacancy for social rented housing association homes in each local authority area are not collected centrally, so estimates for how many are long-term vacant are produced using data on whether each vacant dwelling is available for immediate letting as a proxy measure.
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/stockincludingvacants/livetables/
	Figures on social rented homes owned by each local authority which are vacant, split by duration of vacancy, are published on the Department for Communities and Local Government website in the Business Plan Statistical Appendix, available at the following link. Combining the figures in columns BA (vacant for between six and 12 months) and BI (vacant for over 12 months) will give the total numbers vacant for at least six months.
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/localauthorityhousing/dataforms/hssabpsa1011/bpsadatareturns1011/

Social Rented Housing

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many households with children were on the social housing waiting list in each of the last three years; and how many children there were in households on that waiting list in each of those years;
	(2)  how many households with at least one pregnant member were on the social housing waiting list in each of the last three years.

Andrew Stunell: The Department collects data from local authorities on the number of households on their waiting lists for social housing and the number of bedrooms required. These data are published each year in the Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix returns available from
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/localauthorityhousing/dataforms/
	Local authorities will maintain their own records on the types of households waiting for social housing but the Department does not centrally collate this information.

Social Rented Housing: Veterans

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to bring forward proposals to ensure local authorities prioritise the needs of armed forces veterans with regard to social housing.

Grant Shapps: We have finished consulting on plans to change the law, by regulation, so that former service personnel with urgent housing needs are always given high priority on waiting lists, and that personnel who move from base to base do not lose their qualification rights.
	We have also consulted on new draft statutory social allocations guidance for local councils, setting out how their allocation schemes can give priority to current or ex-service personnel, including through the use of local preference criteria and local lettings policies.
	The responses to consultation were positive; we aim to issue the final guidance shortly and will lay the regulations as soon as possible thereafter.

Sustainable Communities Act 2007

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to introduce regulations providing for the involvement rights of people under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Greg Clark: holding answer 22 May 2012
	We are finalising the regulations under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 and will lay them in Parliament shortly.

Sustainable Communities Act 2007

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to bring forward regulations arising from the Sustainable Communities Act 2007.

Greg Clark: We are finalising the regulations under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 and will lay them in Parliament shortly.

Sustainable Communities Act 2007

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to bring forward regulations under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007.

Greg Clark: We are finalising the regulations under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 and will lay them in Parliament shortly.

Sustainable Communities Act 2007

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what date he expects to lay regulations under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007.

Greg Clark: We are finalising the regulations under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 and will lay them in Parliament shortly.

Third Sector

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on how to support voluntary and charitable organisations applying for local authority funding; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Stunell: The Department has not issued any specific guidance in this area.
	The Best Value guidance for local authorities, published in September 2011, sets out some reasonable expectations of the way authorities should work with voluntary and community groups and small businesses when facing difficult funding decisions.
	The Localism Act 2011 now means local authorities have greater power, independence and flexibility, and with this, local compacts are becoming more important as a basis for improving the relationship between local authorities and the voluntary sector. Local compact partnerships are key to ensuring organisations are better able to influence and deliver services which will have the most positive impact within their community.

Wind Power

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether it is his policy that a region that has achieved its renewable energy targets will be able to refuse applications for onshore wind farms.

Bob Neill: Planning law requires that applications for planning permission must be determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Wind Power: Lancaster

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to prevent repeat planning applications for land-based windfarms which have previously been rejected in the Lancaster area; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: Our planning reforms are putting unprecedented power in the hands of communities to shape the places in which they live. These reforms make the local plan, produced by local people, the key to delivering sustainable development that reflects the vision and aspirations of local communities. In those specific instances where local planning authorities have previously refused permission within the past two years for two or more substantially similar proposals on the same site, or a substantially similar proposal had been rejected on appeal, they have powers to decline to determine applications.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Creative Industries

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to support the creative industries in the north-east.

Edward Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) does not provide direct support to the creative industries in individual regions, however, we have established the Creative Industries Council as a joint forum between the creative industries and Government to focus on areas where there are barriers to growth facing the sector such as access to finance, skills and growth.
	Creative England was established in October 2011 with the core purpose of supporting the sustainable growth of independent creative businesses, and the talent that feeds them, in every part of England outside London. In London, the Mayor has responsibilities for promoting economic development and supporting growth in the creative industries.
	In addition, in Budget 2012, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), announced the introduction of three new tax reliefs for high end TV, video games and animation, building on the success of the film tax relief.

Creative Industries

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of people employed in the creative industries in the north-east in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the contribution of the creative industries to the economy in the north-east.

Edward Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) does not currently produce regional data for creative industries estimates, either for employment or for gross value added (GVA). DCMS is currently engaged in a project with partners to update the data and information provided on the creative industries.
	DCMS does, however, provide regional data on creative industries for the number of enterprises (head offices) and local units (workplaces) on a consistent basis for the last three years.
	This has been published on the DCMS website and can be found by clicking on the ‘Key findings and table’ documents located on the following webpage:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/8682.aspx

Creative Industries: East of England

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to support the creative industries in the eastern region.

Edward Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not provide direct support to the creative industries in individual regions however we have established the Creative Industries Council as a joint forum between the creative industries and Government to focus on areas where there are barriers to growth facing the sector such as access to finance, skills, and growth.
	Creative England was established in October 2011 with the core purpose of supporting the sustainable growth of independent creative businesses, and the talent that feeds them, in every part of England outside London. In London the Mayor has responsibilities for promoting economic development and supporting growth in the creative industries.
	In addition, in Budget 2012 the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the introduction of three new tax reliefs for high end TV, video games and animation, building on the success of the film tax relief.

Creative Industries: East of England

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of people employed in the creative industries in the eastern region;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the contribution of the creative industries to the economy in the eastern region.

Edward Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) does not currently produce regional data for creative industries estimates, either for employment or for gross value added (GVA).
	DCMS does, however, provide regional data on creative industries for the number of enterprises (head offices) and local units (workplaces) on a consistent basis for the last three years.
	This has been published on the DCMS website and can be found by clicking on the ‘Key findings and table' documents located on the following webpage:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/8682.aspx

Creative Industries: Greater London

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to provide support for the creative industries in London.

Edward Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not provide direct support to the creative industries in individual regions however we have established the Creative Industries Council as a joint forum between the creative industries and Government to focus on areas where there are barriers to growth facing the sector such as access to finance, skills, and growth.
	Creative England was established in October 2011 with the core purpose of supporting the sustainable growth of independent creative businesses, and the talent that feeds them, in every part of England outside London. In London the mayor has responsibilities for promoting economic development and supporting growth in the Creative Industries.
	In addition, in Budget 2012 the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the introduction of three new tax reliefs for high end TV, video games and animation, building on the success of the film tax relief.

Creative Industries: Greater London

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of people employed in the creative industries in London;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the contribution of the creative industries to the economy in London.

Edward Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) does not currently produce regional data for creative industries estimates, either for employment or for gross value added (GVA).
	DCMS does, however, provide regional data on creative industries for the number of enterprises (head offices) and local units (workplaces) on a consistent basis for the last three years.
	This has been published on the DCMS website and can be found by clicking on the ‘Key findings and table' documents located on the following webpage:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/8682.aspx

Creative Industries: Morecambe

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what funding his Department has provided for the creative arts in the west end district of Morecambe in the last 18 months.

Edward Vaizey: The Department does not provide direct funding for the arts. The Government’s funding of the arts is the responsibility of Arts Council England which makes its decisions independently of Ministers.
	However, Arts Council England has provided the following information about its funding for organisations in the west end district of Morecambe, as identified by their provided postcodes, over the last 18 months.
	
		
			 Funding programme Funding amount (£) 
			 Grants for the arts 197,864 
			 Managed funds 22,966 
			 Regularly funded organisations 126,695 
			 Total 347,525

Creative Industries: South East

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has to provide support for the creative industries in the South East.

Edward Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not provide direct support to the creative industries in individual regions however we have established the Creative Industries Council as a joint forum between the creative industries and Government to focus on areas where there are barriers to growth facing the sector such as access to finance, skills, and growth.
	Creative England was established in October 2011 with the core purpose of supporting the sustainable growth of independent creative businesses, and the talent that feeds them, in every part of England outside London. In London the Mayor has responsibilities for promoting economic development and supporting growth in the creative industries.
	In addition, in Budget 2012 the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the introduction of three new tax reliefs for high end TV, video games and animation, building on the success of the film tax relief.

Creative Industries: South East

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the contribution of the creative industries to the economy in the South East;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of people employed in the creative industries in the South East.

Edward Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) does not currently produce regional data for creative industries estimates, either for employment or for gross value added (GVA). DCMS is currently engaged in a project with partners to update the data and information provided on the creative industries.
	DCMS does, however, provide regional data on creative industries for the number of enterprises (head offices) and local units (workplaces) on a consistent basis for the last three years.
	This has been published on the DCMS website and can be found by clicking on the ‘Key findings and table' documents located on the following webpage:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/8682.aspx

Blue Plaques

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what criteria are used to determine the (a) subject and (b) location of blue plaques.

John Penrose: I have asked the chief executive of English Heritage to write directly to my hon. Friend with this information.
	A copy of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Broadband

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with BT about improving broadband speeds for businesses; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: As the improvement of broadband speeds is one of the Government's priorities, the Secretary of State has regular discussions on this matter with a number of companies, including BT.

Broadband Delivery UK

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps Broadband Delivery UK is taking as part of the Government’s policy of increasing small business procurement.

Edward Vaizey: Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) has provided local authorities with a small and medium enterprise (SME) strategy which sets out an approach to maximise the opportunities for SMEs to benefit from the public sector intervention in the broadband marketplace, and to help maximise benefit to the local economy. Local bodies will be able to promote the capability of local SMEs, and BDUK is committed to ensuring that SMEs are able to play a full role in the delivery of broadband services at a local level.

Broadband Delivery UK

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 15 May 2012, Official Report, column 60W, on broadband, what the dates were of the correspondence between Newcastle city council and Broadband Delivery UK.

Edward Vaizey: Dates of meetings and e-mails to and from Broadband UK and Newcastle city council surrounding their bid to become a super-connected city, feedback on their bid and subsequent support to achieve super-connected city status, are set out in the table.
	E-mails have primarily related to BDUK and Newcastle city council jointly making progress on the Local Broadband Plan and Newcastle working towards identifying match funding.
	The dates of telephone calls are not recorded.
	Dates of meetings
	28 March 2012
	24 April 2012
	Dates of e-mails
	14 December 2011
	11 January 2012
	12 January 2012
	29 February 2012
	22 March 2012
	27 March 2012
	2 April 2012
	3 April 2012
	4 April 2012
	13 April 2012
	17 April 2012
	23 April 2012
	24 April 2012
	1 May 2012
	2 May 2012
	4 May 2012
	10 May 2012
	23 May 2012

Broadband: Warrington

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will make an assessment of the effect on businesses of slow broadband speeds in Warrington; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: There is growing evidence that broadband connectivity and higher broadband speeds improve economic growth and productivity, which is why the Government are investing £680 million in the lifetime of this Parliament with the aim that the UK should have the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015.

Charitable Donations

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has undertaken an impact assessment on the potential effect that the proposed charity tax relief cap on philanthropy will have on (a) museums and galleries, (b) ballet and dance schools, (c) theatres and concert halls and (d) drama schools in each region.

Edward Vaizey: No.

Claims Management Companies

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) Ofcom and (b) independent broadcasters on the number and tone of television advertisements for the services offered by claims management companies;
	(2)  what recent representations his Department has received from consumer representative organisations on the number and tone of television advertisements for the services offered by claims management companies.

Edward Vaizey: I have had no discussions with (a) Ofcom or (b) independent broadcasters on the number and tone of television advertisements for the services offered by claims management companies. Neither have I received any representations from consumer representative organisations about this matter.

Complaints

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many complaints about the work of his Department and each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies were received in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: The majority of correspondence received by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) concerns issues relating to the work of the Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies. According to the information held by the Department, there were 36 cases specifically recorded as a complaint in 2010-11 and seven cases recorded in 2011-12.

Copyright: Journalism

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has made an assessment of the difficulties experienced by (a) freelance journalists and (b) other self-employed people in being offered contracts stipulating that their copyright should be assigned to the employing body and requiring the individual to accept full liability for what is published.

Edward Vaizey: In general, businesses including soletraders, are assumed to be free to enter into whatever contracts they agree between themselves. Contracts form part of normal commercial practice and it is up to the partners to the contract to agree on what it contains, including assignment of copyright or liability provisions.

Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many letters to Ministers in his Department were (a) not answered, (b) not answered within six months and (c) not answered within three months in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how many such letters were from hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members’ and Peers’ correspondence. The hon. Gentleman's researchers can find the most recent statistics in the ministerial written statement, published on 15 March 2012, Official Report, columns 30-33WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House. The responses to other correspondence to Ministers in this Department are not monitored in the way requested.

Debts Written Off

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much bad debt was written off by his Department in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport had no bad debt write offs in 2010-11. The value of write offs in 2011-12 was £2,200. These all related to recovery of grants under a discontinued scheme and had been discounted as doubtful debts in earlier years.

Disclosure of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on the updating of published data in line with the Government's transparency agenda in each month since September 2011.

John Penrose: Work to update and publish information for the various strands of transparency reporting is integrated with other work of the Department's finance, procurement, public bodies and communications teams. The tasks undertaken form a small part of each member of staff’s time and it is not practical to maintain detailed costings for this work.

Empty Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will list the empty or largely empty buildings owned by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: The Department does not own any buildings, they are all leased. The properties held in the name of the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), are owned by the Crown.

Empty Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many buildings owned by his Department and the bodies for which he is responsible have been empty for more than two years; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) does not own any properties, they are all leased.
	DCMS does not hold this information for its arm’s length bodies. Accordingly, I have asked their chief executives to respond to the hon. Member.
	Copies of the replies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Fraud

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the level of (a) procurement and (b) other fraud affecting his Department's spending in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: In line with other Government Departments, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) does not make an estimate of the level of (a) procurement and (b) other fraud affecting Departmental spend. Identified fraud is published on our website in the quarterly data summary:
	www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/DCMS_QDS _Apr2012.pdf
	The Cabinet Office will be providing support and guidance to all Departments moving forward on how to undertake proactive exercises in order to quantify fraud and error that was previously unknown, and DCMS will work with them, as appropriate, on this important topic.

Listed Buildings

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many listed buildings there are in each region.

John Penrose: The hon. Gentleman's researchers can find this information on English Heritage's National Heritage List for England at
	http://list.english-heritage.org.uk

Listed Buildings: VAT

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has undertaken an impact assessment on the potential effect of the planned rise in VAT on alterations and repairs to listed buildings on (a) theatres, (b) galleries, (c) museums and (d) other arts organisations located in listed buildings.

John Penrose: DCMS has not made an impact assessment of the potential effect of the planned rise in VAT on alterations to listed buildings for these organisations, but has instead encouraged its arm’s length bodies which represent these organisations, to identify the impact of this change and respond directly to HM Revenue and Customs’ consultation.
	Museums that are eligible for support through the HMRC VAT Refund Scheme for National Museums and Galleries are able to recover VAT paid on building alterations.

Listed Buildings: VAT

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether his Department has estimated the number of arts organisations located in listed buildings likely to vacate that property due to the planned rise in VAT on alterations and repairs to listed buildings in the next three years.

Edward Vaizey: No.

Local Broadcasting: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with (a) the Minister for Education and Skills and (b) other Ministers in the Welsh Government on local television in Wales and Welsh language provision on such channels in the last 12 months.

Edward Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), met the First Minister of the Welsh Government the right hon. Carwyn Jones AM, on 6 July 2011 to discuss general broadcasting issues, including local TV, and visited Newport on 26 August 2011 to meet a broad range of stakeholders to discuss local TV in particular. Throughout the local TV policy development process, the Department consulted the Welsh Government. While our new local TV framework does not mandate Welsh language programming, it does require the licensed local TV services to cater for the tastes, interests and needs of the people living and working in the locality.

Mobile Phones

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the deadline by which Everything Everywhere, once it has divested its 1800 MHz spectrum, must make it available for use by a new owner; and if he will place any such assessment in the Library;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with the European Commission about the deadline by which Everything Everywhere, once it has divested its 1800 MHz spectrum, must make it available for use by a new owner.

Edward Vaizey: I have made no assessment of these issues and I have not had discussions with the European Commission on this matter.
	The deadline for clearing the spectrum is contained in a set of commitments given by Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom to the European Commission as part of the European Commission's assessment of the T-Mobile/Orange merger which created Everything Everywhere. The European Commission had jurisdiction to consider that merger (pursuant to the EC Merger Regulation), and as such it was the European Commission's decision to accept the commitments, including the deadline.
	The commitments require that by 30 September 2013 at the latest 2x10 MHz of 1800 MHz spectrum is cleared and available for use by someone other than Everything Everywhere and that by 30 September 2015 a further 2x5 MHz of 1800 MHz spectrum is to be similarly cleared and made available to the same party.

Mobile Phones

John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effect of Ofcom's decision to permit Everything Everywhere to offer 4G service in advance of other mobile network operators on (a) competition and (b) prices for the consumer in the mobile network market;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of whether (a) the sale of 1800 MHz spectrum by Everything Everywhere and (b) any amendment to Everything Everywhere's spectrum licence will have implications for the conduct of the 4G spectrum auction.

Edward Vaizey: I have made no assessment of these issues.
	Ofcom, the independent spectrum regulator, has undertaken a consultation on whether to permit a variance to Everything Everywhere's license at 1800 MHz to allow 4G services, but has yet to announce its final decision on this matter.

Mobile Phones

John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he anticipates that 4G network provision will be opened to additional providers.

Edward Vaizey: Ofcom, the independent spectrum regulator, anticipates that the auction process for the 4G spectrum will begin at the end of 2012 and that successful bidders could start deploying networks before the end of 2013. The auction process is open to all including new market entrants.

Museums and Galleries: Lancaster

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what funding his Department has provided for museums in the Lancaster area in the last 12 months.

Edward Vaizey: There are currently no museums in the Lancaster area receiving funding from this Department.
	The Arts Council and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) did not provide funding to museums in the Lancaster area in the last 12 months. The MLA’s museum functions were absorbed by the Arts Council in October 2011.
	However, Helmshore Mill and Queen Street Mill museums in the Lancaster area benefited from renaissance museum development funding, which was part of the £300,000 awarded to the north-west for museum development support by MLA in 2011-12.

Mutual Societies

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the number of full-time equivalent staff who will transfer from his Department, its non-departmental public bodies and executive agencies workforce to a mutual in (a) 2011-12 and (b)  2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: No staff within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) or its agency, The Royal Parks have or are due to transfer to a mutual in 2011-12 and 2012-13.
	DCMS does not hold this information for its arm’s length bodies. Accordingly, I have asked their chief executives to respond to the hon. Member.
	Copies of the replies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

National Lottery

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what national lottery grant funding has been given in each parliamentary constituency in each of the last two years.

John Penrose: The hon. Gentleman's researchers can find this information on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Lottery Grants Database at:
	www.lottery.culture.gov.uk

National Lottery

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the total value of Lottery ticket sales in the Leicester South constituency (a) has been since the National Lottery began and (b) was in each of the last two years.

John Penrose: The National Lottery operator, Camelot, collects regional sales data based on their sales regions, which do not map to parliamentary constituency areas and do not include a breakdown of online ticket sales. These sales regions are not comparable with those used for the location of lottery grants awarded on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Lottery Grants Database, so this information is not available. For a more detailed examination of this issue the hon. Gentleman may like to read my blog at:
	http://blogs.culture.gov.uk/main/2012/01/scandals_weary_old _nonsense_an.html

Olympic Games 2012

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he has taken to ensure that products from illegal Israeli settlements are not purchased by (a) his Department and (b) the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, whether directly or through third parties.

John Penrose: We aim to ensure that all goods are ethically sourced but, within this, do not specifically monitor whether we are purchasing these particular products.
	The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games are a private organisation operating independently of Government, and, therefore, the Department is unable to respond on their behalf.

Olympic Games 2012

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his strategy is to make best use of the opportunity afforded by the large number of Sports Ministers from other countries visiting London for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Hugh Robertson: The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games provide a unique opportunity to further strengthen the UKs extensive international partnerships through sport, increase our influence in international sports and to share knowledge and experience of hosting the games with future and prospective host nations. A key part of our engagement during the games will be the sixth Commonwealth Sport Ministers Meeting which the UK is hosting and which I will chair. The meeting will take place at Banqueting House on the 25 July.
	The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is also working closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and UK Trade and Investment to strengthen opportunities for global trade and exports from UK business. Together with VisitBritain, we are using sport to boost inward tourism from priority markets through the GREAT campaign. Discussions with visiting Ministers will support that work.

Olympic Games 2012

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether his Department is aware of claims that professional musicians have been asked to perform for free at the Olympic village during the London 2012 Olympics; and what assessment it has made of whether any oral request would breach the Principles of Co-operation agreement the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has made with the TUC; and whether it has had any discussions with LOCOG about this matter.

Hugh Robertson: We have made no assessment or had any discussions with LOCOG on this matter, for which they are completely responsible. As well as agreeing to a set of Principles of Co-operation with the Trade Union Congress, LOCOG has a long-standing understanding with the Musicians' Union that it would not pay volunteers (such as volunteer cast performers or amateur musicians) or headline acts, but that all other professional musicians would be paid.

Departmental Administration Costs

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much was spent on the administration of his Department in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12.

John Penrose: The following amounts were spent on the Department's administration for the financial years in question. The figures do not include depreciation and impairment of departmental assets.
	The Department intends to reduce its inflation-adjusted administration costs (less depreciation) by 50% from the start of the spending review period in 2010-11 to the end of the period in 2014-15. The increase in 2011-12 reflects spend required to deliver the broadband project and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, both of which will decline in future years. It also includes spend on information economy, broadband and spectrum policy functions transferred from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills as from 2011-12, which have increased this Department's cost base.
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2009-10 49.908 
			 2010-11 46.515 
			 2011-12 (expected) 53.397 
			 Sources: 2009-10 and 2010-11: DCMS annual report and accounts—2010-11 (net outturn against final administration budget figures in Table 3.2 on page 85, less depreciation and amortisation figures in Table 11 on page 90) http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/8309.aspx 2011-12: current anticipated final out-turn—subject to finalisation of figures and audit.

Pay

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many staff working for his Department, its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies are employed through off-payroll engagements costing less than £58,200 per annum; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and its agency, The Royal Parks (TRP), do not employ anyone within the Department through off-payroll engagements except for agency staff. DCMS currently employ 15 agency staff at a rate equivalent to less than £58,200 per annum and TRP currently employ five agency staff at a rate equivalent to less than £58,200 per annum.
	DCMS does not hold this information for its executive agencies or arm’s length bodies. Accordingly, I have asked their chief executives to write directly to the hon.
	Member with this information.
	A copy of the letters will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Public Lending Right

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many authors claimed through the Registrar of the Public Lending Right in the latest period for which figures are available.

Edward Vaizey: In 2010-11, 23,366 authors received a Public Lending Right (PLR) payment. Full details about the distribution of payments to authors can be found in the PLR's Annual Report and Accounts 2010-11, available in the House Library.

Public Lending Right

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the (a) number of and (b) likely cost of redundancies, should the Registrar of the Public Lending Right be abolished.

Edward Vaizey: Decisions about staffing have not yet been taken, as these will be for the organisation that takes over the Public Lending Right (PLR) functions and will depend on how it chooses to fulfil those functions. The Department is running a public consultation about the future administration of the scheme, which is open until 30 July 2012, and decisions about the transfer of functions to another body are subject to that consultation.

Public Lending Right

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether the Government's preferred option for the future of the Public Lending Right scheme will result in jobs being transferred from Teesside to British Library offices in London.

Edward Vaizey: Part of the basis of the Government's preferred option for the future of the Public Lending Right scheme is that it would not result in jobs being transferred from Teesside to London.

Publications

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many publications have been issued by his Department since May 2010.

John Penrose: The hon. Gentleman's researchers can find details of all DCMS publications since May 2010 at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/default.aspx

Publications

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many (a) circulars and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department in each of the last two years.

John Penrose: The hon. Gentleman's researchers can find the information on consultations at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/consultations/default.aspx
	The DCMS newsletter, the review, is issued every fortnight.

Tourism

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether tourism from England, Scotland and Wales to Northern Ireland is counted as outbound tourism.

John Penrose: Tourism from England, Scotland and Wales to Northern Ireland is not counted as outbound tourism.

TRANSPORT

Agricultural Vehicles

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what the average road distance travelled by agricultural vehicles per annum was in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  what estimate her Department has made of the number of miles travelled on public roads by agricultural vehicles in 2011.

Michael Penning: Estimates for vehicle miles travelled by agricultural vehicles are not available.
	Annual traffic estimates are produced for 11 different vehicle types. Some agricultural vehicles are included within these broader categories. Agricultural machinery (other than tractors and mechanical diggers), such as combine harvesters, is excluded from traffic estimates.
	Annual estimates for 2011 will be published on 28 June 2012. Current 2010 annual estimates are available on the Department for Transport website here:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/traffic-estimates-2010-revised/

Agricultural Vehicles

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many spot checks the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency carried out on agricultural vehicles in each of the last five years.

Michael Penning: Vehicle and Operator Services Agency carried out the following number of checks on agricultural vehicles:
	
		
			 Financial year Mechanical checks Drivers hours and weighing checks 
			 2007-08 504 89 
			 2008-09 641 113 
			 2009-10 683 83 
			 2010-11 628 49 
			 2011-12 307 52

Agricultural Vehicles

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many oil spillages caused by agricultural vehicles were cleared in the last year for which figures are available; and by whom.

James Paice: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
	Data on numbers of oil spills caused by agricultural vehicles which were cleared are not held centrally by this department.

Airlines and Tour Operators

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research her Department has undertaken into consumer awareness of the consequences and protections for consumers when airline or tour operator businesses fail.

Theresa Villiers: The Civil Aviation Authority is currently trialling questions on passenger views on financial protection in the event of tour operator failure in the CAA Passenger Survey, with a view to including questions in a full survey over the summer.
	In their report on their inquiry into Reform of the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing Scheme, the Transport Select Committee recommended that the Department should conduct research into the views and opinions of passengers regarding financial protection. We will consider how best to address this recommendation in our reply to the committee.

Bus Services

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the projected payments of the bus service operator's grant to be made to each operator in each year from 2011-12 to 2014-15;
	(2)  what payments of bus service operator's grant were made to each operator in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each of the last five years.

Norman Baker: The Department does not hold information on projected future payments of Bus Service Operators Grant.
	The following links provide information on payments made to individual operators (in alphabetical order) up to (i) 31 March 2010 and (ii) 31 March 2011.
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110504135837/http:/www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/buses/busgrants/bsog/661224
	http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/bsog-grants-paid-to-20120331/bsog-grants-paid-2011.pdf

Bus Services: Morecambe

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she has taken to increase funding for bus services and to increase the number of routes in the Morecambe Heysham area.

Norman Baker: As set out in the recent publication ‘Green Light for Better Buses', available in the Library of the House, the Government have continued to support local bus services with significant funding, through concessionary travel reimbursement and bus service operators grant. In addition, we have recently provided a further £115 million to encourage bus usage; £70 million for Better Bus Areas; £30 million for green buses; and £15 million for smart ticketing. We have also made available around £200 million for local major bus infrastructure improvements. 35 of the 39 successful bidders for round one of the £560 million Local Sustainable Transport Fund included bus-related elements.

Bus Services: Rural Areas

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether she has any plans to encourage an increase the number of bus stops in villages and hamlets.

Norman Baker: The placement of bus stops in England is at the discretion of bus operators and local authorities. It is not a matter for central Government. For some communities, particularly in the most sparsely populated rural areas, traditional bus services and stops are not always a viable option. The Government has recently provided a total of £20 million to 76 local authorities in England across two rounds of the Supporting Community Transport Fund. This is supporting the establishment and development of more community transport links, run by not-for-profit organisations.

Chiltern Railway Line

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will review the Chiltern Railways franchise; and if she will make a statement.

Theresa Villiers: In September 2011 Chiltern introduced a simplified structure for anytime, off-peak and super off-peak fares between London Marylebone and stations north of Banbury to Birmingham. The new structure reduced the size of the step between peak and off-peak, which was consistent with Sir Roy McNulty's recommendations.

Complaints

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints about the work of her Department and each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies were received in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement.

Norman Baker: The following complaints were recorded in the last three years. These were complaints received and handled through the formal complaints mechanisms:
	
		
			  2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 
			 DfT(C) 12 16 13 
			 DSA 11516 11822 10080 
			 DVLA 11594 12121 12107 
			 GCDA Not known 0 5 
			 HA 1135 1038 864 
			 MCA 74 52 30 
			 VCA 16 6 8 
			 VOSA 360 1022 1068 
			 NDPBs Not known Not known 6 
			 Total 24703 26077 24181 
		
	
	Formal complaints about the work of NDPBs were not centrally recorded in earlier years and obtaining this information would incur a disproportionate cost.

Consultants

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much her Department spent on external consultants, including management consultants, in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport and its seven Executive Agencies spent the following amounts on external consultants, including management consultants:
	
		
			  £ 
			 2010/11 12,333,227 
			 2011/12 7,408,028 
		
	
	By way of further comparison, the figure for consultancy in DfT published in the annual Public Sector Procurement Expenditure Survey (PSPES) for 2009-10 was £115,101,757. This was however based on a very different classification of consultancy work and if we were to re-publish this on the same basis that we use now the figure would be £24,841,258.

Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many letters to Ministers in her Department were (a) not answered, (b) not answered within six months and (c) not answered within three months in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how many such letters were from hon. Members; and if she will make a statement.

Norman Baker: I regret that the information requested is not held in the format requested and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of departments in replying to Members correspondence. The report for 2011 was published on 15 March 2012, Official Report, columns 30-33WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House.
	Ministers aim to answer correspondence as expediently as possible.

Disclosure of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much her Department spent on the updating of published data in line with the Government's transparency agenda in each month since September 2011.

Norman Baker: It is not possible to provide an accurate estimate as this work typically involves a small proportion of the time of a number of staff across various business areas and is dealt with in the normal course of business.

Dover Port

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what impact assessment her Department carried out on the privatisation of Dover Port; and whether that assessment considered the potential effect of privatisation on ferry berth tariffs.

Michael Penning: Any proposal for a sale of the trust port of Dover would be assessed against the criteria published in August 2011 (15 September 2011, Official Report, columns 65-66WS). These include fair competition, whereby the Secretary of State will not approve an application that is likely to deliver an ownership model which results in unsatisfactory levels of competition in the relevant sector.

Dover Port

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much revenue her Department estimates the privatisation of Dover port will raise for the public purse.

Michael Penning: The port of Dover have yet to submit their revised proposal and any proceeds realisable would depend on the structure and nature of any scheme which they submit. In the event that a sale was agreed, the estimate of revenues receivable would depend upon the circumstances at the time. The Secretary of State will not approve an application unless the sale is considered likely to represent good value for money, having regard not only to Exchequer proceeds and market conditions, but also to other benefits including those to the community and the wider economy.
	Any authority wishing to undertake a sale would need their financial advisers to provide an independent benchmark valuation of the undertaking prior to the receipt of final bids.

Dover Port

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department has considered allowing Dover port to become a community interest company.

Michael Penning: As outlined in the revised criteria on trust port sales, published by the Department of Transport in August 2011 (15 September 2011, Official Report, columns 65-66WS), the Secretary of State will not approve an application for the sale of a trust port under the Ports Act 1991 unless the sale is considered likely to deliver an enduring and significant level of community participation in the port.

Dover Port

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department will ensure the privatisation of Dover Port will include a clawback mechanism to ensure that any undervaluation of the Port is recouped by the winning buyer.

Michael Penning: The Minister of State currently has an application under the Ports Act 1991 concerning Dover Port before her, and it would not be appropriate to comment on such matters ahead of that quasi-judicial decision being taken.

Driving under Influence

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the timescale is for implementation of proposed changes to the drink drive rehabilitation scheme.

Michael Penning: The Drink Drive Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) arrangements have been defined and are subject to clearance from the relevant regulatory processes.
	We anticipate that the new arrangements will be introduced in March 2013.

Driving: Licensing

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate she has made of the annual cost to (a) her Department and (b) driving licence holders of introducing the EU third directive on driving licences in each of the next five years.

Michael Penning: The following table provides the estimated costs of introducing the EU third directive on driving licences in each of the next five years:
	
		
			  Forecast operating costs (£ million) 
			 2013-14 1.7 
			 2014-15 1.4 
			 2015-16 1.1 
			 2016-17 1.1 
			 2017-18 1.1 
		
	
	Over the two years 2011-12 to 2012-13 there were also £6.3 million development costs, relating to the third directive.
	The DVLA is currently undertaking a public consultation on driver licensing fees, which is expected to close on 14 August 2012. The options put forward in the consultation are about covering the increased costs of the system and process changes as a result of the EU third directive. The preferred option in the consultation would see vocational licence holders pay a fee of £20 for their first provisional vocational licence and on the five-yearly renewal of their licence. These fees would apply for the next five years.

Driving: Licensing

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate she has made of the cost to driving licence holders of replacing or renewing a driving licence in each of the next five years.

Michael Penning: The current cost to driving licence holders of replacing or renewing a driving licence is shown in the following table. Future fees are subject to the outcome of a public consultation that is expected to end on 14 August 2012.
	
		
			 Transaction  Fees options 2013-14+ 
			  Fees 2012-13 1 2 3 
			 Driving licence:     
			 Renewals from age 70 Free Free Free Free 
			 Renewals for medical reasons Free Free Free Free 
			 Replacement DL for change of details Free Free Free Free 
			 Duplicate DL for lost/stolen or destroyed £20 £20 £20 £20.70 
			      
			 Exchange licence:     
			 Exchange from overseas jurisdiction £50 £50 £50 £50 
			 Paper licence traded in for POL DL(1) £20 £20 £20 £20.70 
			 Remove endorsements £20 £20 £20 £20.70 
			 ‘Vanity’ renewal (photograph change only) £20 £20 £20 £20.70 
			 10-yearly renewal of POL DL(1) £20 £20 £20 £20.70 
			 Additional entitlements Free Free Free Free 
			 Provisional vocational DL (from full DL) Free £20 Free Free 
			 Full vocational DL Free Free Free Free 
			 Renewal of vocational entitlement n/a £20 Free Free 
			      
			 Driving licence renewals:     
			 After revocation £50 £50 £50 £50 
			 High risk offenders after disqualifications £90 £90 £90 £90 
			 After disqualification £65 £65 £65 £65 
			 (1) POL DL is ‘Photo on Licence’ Driving Licence

Fraud

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate she has made of the level of (a) procurement and (b) other fraud affecting her Department's spending in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement.

Norman Baker: Since 2010, the Department has reported detected fraud and error on its quarterly data summaries. These quarterly data summaries are published on the departmental website:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/business-plan-qds
	but they do not take into account estimates of undetected fraud loss. Nor do they split the losses between (a) procurement and (b) other fraud affecting departmental spend. Estimated figures for uncollected Vehicle Excise Duty are produced on an annual basis and published in the accounts of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, but the loss does not fall to the Department for Transport.
	The Department for Transport is committed to taking action to support the commitments of the Government's Fraud, Error and Debt Taskforce. One of the taskforce's priority areas is a better assessment of fraud and error risk, and measurement of losses, and the Department is working, with support from the Cabinet Office, to identify fraud and error that was previously unknown.

Heathrow Airport

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she intends to take to improve capacity at Heathrow airport.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 24 May 2012
	In accordance with our programme for government, the coalition has cancelled plans for a third runway at Heathrow. We are pursuing a number of measures to improve our airports and get the most out of existing capacity. These include:
	(i) Taking legislation through the House of Commons to reform airport economic regulation, giving the Civil Aviation Authority much more effective powers to intervene to protect the consumer interest if an airport is failing its passengers;
	(ii) Going forward with major improvements to surface access including Crossrail;
	(iii) Supporting the work under way by CAA and NATS to enhance airspace management, which has the potential to improve reliability and reduce the need for stacking;
	(iv) Progress on the Single European Sky project, including the establishment of the Functional Airspace block for the UK and Ireland, which is already delivering operational benefits;
	(v) Reform of aviation security regulation to move to an outcome-focused risk-based approach which is expected to enable security checks to be delivered in a more efficient and passenger-friendly way;
	(vi) Phase one of a trial of operational freedoms at Heathrow has taken place. We believe that these measures have the potential to improve operational performance at the airport, as well reducing late night departures, stacking and carbon emissions. Phase two is scheduled to commence on 1 July and a careful assessment of potential benefits and impacts will be made based on the evidence produced by the trial and the public consultation follows.

Highways Agency

Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many uninhabited houses the Highways Agency owns in (a) Staffordshire and (b) the UK.

Michael Penning: On behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening), the Highways Agency holds property that may be required for the improvement, management or operation of the trunk road and motorway network in England. The Agency does not own any property in its own right.
	The Highways Agency holds 60 uninhabited houses in England, two of which are in Staffordshire.
	Of those 60:
	24 are in the process of being sold
	10 are either in the process of being let or are being advertised for letting
	15 either have works under way or have works programmed
	11 are currently under review for repair or potential sale

London Airports

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  whether she plans to conduct a review of the implementation of the Airports Slot Allocation Regulations 2006;
	(2)  whether she has considered the merits of referring the matter of the operation of slot allocation at London airports to the European Commission Competition Authority;
	(3)  if she will consider bringing forward proposals to amend the Airports Act 1986 to confer upon the Secretary of State the power to intervene in the allocation of slots at London airports in order to maintain the UK's aviation hub status;
	(4)  if she will make it her policy to seek to repatriate from the EU the power to intervene in the allocation of slots at London airports during negotiations on the amendment of the EU Slot Regulation.

Theresa Villiers: European Union regulations govern the allocation, transfer and exchange of slots at London's slot co-ordinated airports, in accordance with EU competition law. EU Regulation 95/93, which follows the International Air Transport Association World Slot Guidelines, provides common rules throughout Europe for slot allocation, which are aimed at providing airlines with fair and equal access to airports across the EU through independent and transparent slot allocation procedures.
	We do not propose to depart from the slot allocation processes prescribed by EU law and we have no current plans to review the Airports Slot Allocation Regulations 2006, which transpose the EU Slot Regulations in the UK. However, the EU rules governing slot allocation are under review as part of the European Commission's Airports Package and the Government are engaging with the Commission and others in the debate on these proposals.

Departmental Staff

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many civil servants in her Department are expected to (a) retire, (b) be made redundant and (c) be recruited up to 2015.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport and its seven Executive agencies do not have a mandatory retirement age, though there are 2,590 staff who will have reached the normal pension age between now and the beginning of 2015.
	The Department has no current plans to make any compulsory redundancies up to 2015.
	The Department is unable to accurately forecast how many and which jobs may become available in the next three years. In addition, the civil service recruitment freeze requires the Department to consider whether it is necessary to replace vacant positions and whether the skills exist within civil service before recruiting from outside of the service.

Departmental Staff

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many civil servants in her Department have (a) been made redundant and (b) taken early retirement since May 2010; and how much has been paid in severance to staff leaving her Department since May 2010.

Norman Baker: The following table gives details of the number of civil servants who have left the Department for Transport and its agencies under redundancy schemes in each financial year since May 2010.
	
		
			 Department/agency Number Cost (£) 
			 2010-11   
			 Department for Transport (centre) 164 13,427,732 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 0 0 
			 Driving Standards Agency <5 38,931 
			 Maritime Coastguard Agency 7 160,932 
			 Government Car and Dispatch Agency 38 1,341,176 
			 Highways Agency 99 4,270,000 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 0 0 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 54 3,730,544 
			    
			 2011-12   
			 Department for Transport (centre) 99 4,256,418 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 0 0 
			 Driving Standards Agency 37 1,486,025 
			 Maritime Coastguard Agency 0 0 
			 Government Car and Dispatch Agency 26 522,837 
			 Highways Agency 0 0 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 0 0 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 36 803,104 
		
	
	These individuals left the Department under a number of separate redundancy schemes, including in 2010-11 under voluntary early retirement schemes. The availability to leave under voluntary early retirement ended with the change in the rules of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme in December 2010.

Departmental Staff

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether she has made an estimate of the maximum reduction in civil servants her Department could make without diminishing its operational capabilities; and what representations she has made to the Minister for the Cabinet Office on his proposals to reduce civil servant numbers.

Norman Baker: The Department has established its resourcing requirements to meet business plan commitments and reduce administration spend in the central Department. Where reductions in staff are being made, consultation has taken place to ensure that front-line services are protected and that these can be achieved without diminishing our capability.

Departmental Meetings

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what dates (a) she, (b) Ministers and (c) senior officials in her Department have met representatives of (i) the Institute for Public Policy Research, (ii) the Taxpayers' Alliance, (iii) the Institute of Economic Affairs, (iv) ResPublica, (v) the Centre for Social Justice and (vi) Policy Exchange; and if she will publish the minutes and agendas of these meetings.

Norman Baker: Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations are routinely published every quarter and can be accessed via the following links:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/ministerial-transparency/#meetings
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/dft-permanent-secretary-meetings-with-external-organisations/

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she plans to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton of 10 April 2012 with regard to Mr S. Jackson.

Justine Greening: I have responded to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton.

Mobility Scooters

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department plans to take to ensure that users of mobility scooters are properly trained.

Norman Baker: As part of the Department for Transport's review of the use of mobility vehicles, I have asked officials to undertake further work with the mobility vehicles industry, training providers, public transport operators and user groups on a range of issues including how to make more use of existing specialist training providers and how to develop and promote training courses.

Motor Vehicles: EU Law

Steven Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of evidence used by the European Commission on the level of compliance with emissions limits for (a) L class vehicles and (b) commercial vehicles.

Michael Penning: We are not aware of any evidence of a lack of compliance with existing regulatory requirements on air pollutant emissions in respect of either L category (2 or 3 wheeled vehicles and quadricycles) or commercial vehicles. The European Commission's proposal to revise technical standards for new L category vehicles includes a package of measures to reduce emissions from these vehicles as existing standards are not as stringent as those of other vehicle categories.
	The Government's view is that these measures are not fully justified on air quality or cost benefit grounds and we have therefore been seeking amendments to the proposal to reduce burdens on manufacturers.
	The Government's consultation on the Commission's proposal is available at:
	http://assets.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2011-26/dft-2011-26-consultation.pdf
	and includes the impact assessment. The consultation period started on 5 September and ran for a period of eight weeks until 28 October.

Motor Vehicles: EU Law

Steven Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of evidence used by the European Commission in respect of compliance with roadworthiness regimes for (a) L3 vehicles and (b) commercial vehicles.

Michael Penning: There is no recent published evidence to assess. We expect the EC to publish a proposal for new EU rules on vehicle roadworthiness testing this summer and we will examine carefully any impact assessment evidence that is published alongside the proposal.

Motorists Forum

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times her Department's Motorists Forum has met since its creation; when it will present its report; and to which Minister it will report.

Michael Penning: The Motorists Forum was reformed in summer 2011, and has met three times since that point. It engages regularly with Ministers, and its views on individual topics are communicated as part of regular business. The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening), attended the forum in person in November.
	The forum has also created a sub-group to give specific advice on the Secretary of State's announcement regarding the garage customer experience. The sub-group has met twice and plans to meet a third time before finalising its report. The main forum will consider the report of the sub-group at its meeting in July before reporting to Ministers.

Motorists Forum

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the terms of reference are of the Motorists' Forum; and what its membership is.

Michael Penning: The membership and terms of reference are available on the DFT website.

Motorways: Emergency Telephones

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will take steps to ensure that the emergency telephone network on motorways is equipped with inductive coupler, volume control and text option.

Michael Penning: The replacement of approximately 6,500 emergency roadside telephones installed on the motorway and all purpose trunk road network in England was completed in July 2011. The new version emergency roadside telephones that were installed as part of the replacement programme are equipped with inductive coupler, volume control and text facility.

Mutual Societies

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate she has made of the number of full-time equivalent staff who will transfer from her Department, its non-departmental public bodies and Executive agencies work force to a mutual in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; and if she will make a statement.

Norman Baker: No staff transferred from the Department for Transport to a mutual in 2011-12. We remain open to proposals for the future.

Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on Heathrow airport's preparations for increased passenger numbers during the London 2012 Olympics;
	(2)  what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on preparations for increased passenger numbers at Heathrow airport during the London 2012 Paralympics.

Theresa Villiers: Ministers and officials from both Departments have been involved in discussions on preparing for Olympics and Paralympics arrivals and departures at Heathrow and elsewhere over a number of years.

Departmental Administration Costs

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on the administration of her Department in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12.

Norman Baker: The expenditure of the Department for the years 2009-10 and 2010-11 is contained in Core Table 4 of the published Annual Report and accounts:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/dft-annual-report-accounts/
	HM Treasury published the February 2012 forecast outturn for all Government Departments in the 2012 Budget publication. For the Department for Transport this was a forecast department expenditure limit underspend of £0.44 billion, none of which was transferred to 2012-13 as part of the Budget Exchange scheme.
	The Department's 2011-12 year-end position is not yet finalised. HM Treasury will provide an update on the expenditure forecasts of all Government Departments in July in the 2012 Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis.

Parking

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the adequacy of (a) legal and (b) other recourses to settle disputes between public and private parking operators.

Norman Baker: Parking on private land is subject to contract law. It is ultimately a matter for the courts if a contractual dispute cannot be resolved between the parties concerned. A condition of introducing the provisions in schedule 4 (concerning keeper liability) to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012—which will ban the immobilisation and towing away of vehicles in England and Wales without lawful authority—is that the private parking sector must provide a fully independent appeals service which will cover all tickets issued by private parking operators with accredited access to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency vehicle keeper data. The appeals service will be offered as a free service to motorists, and its decisions will be binding on the industry.

Publications

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) circulars and (b) consultation documents were issued by her Department in each of the last two years.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport including its seven Executive agencies issued 67 new consultation documents in 2010 and 65 in 2011.
	Information relating to circulars could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Railways: Freight

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the impact on open cast coal producers from the increases in the cost of rail haulage as proposed by the Office of Rail Regulation.

Theresa Villiers: Determining the impact of changes in access charges upon various sections of the train operating market is the responsibility of the Office of Rail Regulation, which will carry out its assessment as part of the ongoing Periodic Review 2013 process.

Railways: Penalty Fares

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people travelling on the Integrated Kent Franchise received a penalty notice in the last three years for which figures are available; and how many were overturned on appeal.

Theresa Villiers: The Department does not hold this information.

Rescue Services

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes in staffing levels have taken place in each coastguard station since May 2010; and what staffing level changes she expects to take place at each coastguard station up to 2015.

Michael Penning: The following table shows the changes in staffing levels at each Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) (full-time equivalent) between:
	1 May 2010 and 24 May 2011
	24 May 2011 and March 2015 (Steady state operations for the future HM Coastguard structure)
	
		
			 Organisation 1 May 2010 24 May 2011 Change March 2015 Change 
			 Aberdeen MRCC 29.00 22.50 -6.50 23 0.50 
			 Belfast MRCC 21.14 22.64 1.50 23 0.36 
			 Brixham MRCC 23.00 20.50 -2.50 0 -20.50 
			 Clyde MRCC 28.14 23.57 -4.57 0 -23.57 
			 Dover MRCC 31.00 23.50 -7.50 28 4.5 
			 Falmouth MRCC 27.00 24.00 -3.00 23 -1.0 
			 Forth MRCC 15.00 14.00 -1.00 0 -14.0 
			 Holyhead MRCC 22.00 21.00 -1.00 23 2.0 
			 Humber MRCC 27.00 27.78 0.78 23 -4.78 
			 Liverpool MRCC 21.50 21.50 0.00 0 -21.50 
			 London Coastguard 7.00 8.00 1.00 6 -2.0 
			 Milford MRCC 24.00 22.00 -2.00 23 1.0 
			 Portland MRCC 25.14 20.14 -5.00 0 -20.14 
			 Shetland MRCC 24.14 19.57 -4.57 23 3.43 
			 Solent MRCC 28.65 27.24 -1.41 0 -27.24 
			 Stornoway MRCC 21.22 22.65 1.43 23 0.35 
			 Swansea MRCC 27.00 22.50 -4.50 0 -22.50 
			 Thames MRCC 22.00 20.60 -1.40 0 -20.60 
			 Yarmouth MRCC 23.02 22.78 -0.24 0 -22.78 
			 National Maritime Operations Centre 0 0 0 96 96 
			 Grand total 446.95 406.47 -40.48 314 92.47

Rescue Services

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what reports her Department has received on coastguard stations needing staff cover to maintain watches since May 2010.

Michael Penning: Watchkeeping levels are routinely managed by local HM Coastguard managers on an ‘Area’ basis. Where shortfalls occur at individual Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs) these are mitigated with the use of:
	staff moves between watches;
	overtime; or
	mutual support from the MRCC’s paired station. (The Area Concept of Operations, introduced in 2005, provides ability for paired MRCCs to provide mutual support for operational, business continuity or training purposes).
	For example these local arrangements are currently being deployed in the North East Scotland Area (Forth MRCC/Aberdeen MRCC) to manage reduced manning levels at Forth MRCC prior to its planned closure as part of the Coastguard Modernisation Programme.

Rescue Services

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations her Department has received from the (a) European Union, (b) European Council, (c) European Commission, (d) European Parliament and (e) other interested parties on the creation of an integrated EU coastguard service.

Michael Penning: The idea of an European Union Coastguard was included in the Commission's Maritime Green Paper in 2005 but did not feature in the final Integrated Maritime Policy paper of October 2007. There has been no formal proposal for Commission legislation to create such a body to date although the Commission is undertaking a feasibility study this year.

Rescue Services: Northern Ireland

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of co-operation between the Irish Coastguard and search and rescue missions in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Penning: Joint operational arrangements between neighbouring states, to ensure rapid response to persons in danger or difficulty, are internationally accepted good practice. HM Coastguard makes use of any vessel, aircraft, service or capability that can provide a response to an emergency. UK-based resources also provide reciprocal assistance to the Irish Republic when requested and available.

Risk Assessment

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what strategic or transitional risk registers in each area of policy are held by her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport holds distinct strategic risk registers with respect to the following policy areas:
	The Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme
	Rail Reform and the Rail High Level Output Statement
	Low emission vehicles.

Road Works

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to her Department's Structural Reform Plan, April 2012 Update, for what reason her Department's plan to end the need for Government approval of individual local authorities' permit schemes has not been completed.

Norman Baker: A statement of the reason for the delay has already been published through the Department's April 2012 Business Plan Update, available at:
	http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/business-plan-2011-2015/progress-update-1204.pdf

Roads: Safety

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to her Department's Strategic Framework for Road Safety, what steps have been taken with respect to point 4.22 of the Framework to develop a further training scheme for older drivers.

Michael Penning: In paragraph 4.22 of the Strategic Framework we identified a desire to work with the voluntary sector representing the elderly on this. We will be taking this work forward in due course.

Roads: Safety

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department has taken in respect of the Strategic Framework for Road Safety to date; and what further steps are planned for implementation of the strategy.

Michael Penning: Since the publication of the Strategic Framework for Road Safety in May 2011, the Department has taken a series of important steps to implement proposals set out in the framework. They include steps on all three of the thematic chapters of the framework.
	1. ‘improving road safety together': preparatory work for the launch of a road safety comparison site, a road safety observatory, a speed limit assessment tool and a revised speed limit circular is well advanced and on track for completion this year.
	2. ‘education': we have already made changes to the driving tests and changes to the educational scheme for drink drive offenders are progressing towards implementation.
	3. ‘targeted enforcement and sanctions': preparatory work on the introduction of fixed penalty notices for careless driving and increased penalty fines is well-advanced and legislation to create a specific drug impaired driving offence has been published.
	The Department will continue implementation of these and other measures as set out in the Strategic Framework.

Rolling Stock

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she decided to reduce the number of carriages as part of the Intercity Express programme; for what reasons the decision was taken; and when Parliament was informed.

Theresa Villiers: Following the Foster review, the spending review and a subsequent value for money appraisal against the alternatives, the then Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), informed Parliament of the decision to take forward a revised, lower cost proposal for the Intercity Express Programme from Agility Trains on 1 March 2011.

Rolling Stock: Procurement

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when financial close for the (a) Thameslink contract and (b) IEP contract will be completed. [R]

Theresa Villiers: The Department expects to conclude the core project agreements for the Thameslink rolling stock with Siemens and Cross London Trains shortly. Financial close is expected during the summer.
	Negotiations on the Intercity Express Programme are now in their final stages. We aim to reach financial close for the Great Western Main Line fleet during the summer.

Rolling Stock: Procurement

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when her Department expects to finalise the location of depots for the intercity express programme fleets for the (a) Great Western and (b) east coast main line.

Theresa Villiers: Financial close for the Great Western main line fleet and commercial close for the east coast main line fleet of the intercity express programme (IEP) are being targeted to occur during the summer. The location of depots is a matter for the preferred bidder, Agility Trains, which has already stated publicly that it is planning depots at Swansea, Stoke Gifford, near Bristol, and North Pole in west London along the Great Western main line.

Rolling Stock: Procurement

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate her Department has made of the minimum order of intercity express programme carriages which would be needed to justify a UK assembly facility.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport welcomes the decision by Hitachi to build a new factory at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham where the new trains will be assembled. The minimum order of IEP carriages which would be needed to justify a UK assembly facility is a matter for Hitachi, and not the Department, to decide.

Rolling Stock: Procurement

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department has made representations to the French Government on levies charged on UK-bound trains by the French rail infrastructure manager RFF.

Theresa Villiers: No—charges levied by the French infrastructure manager Réseau Ferré de France are a matter for it and the users of the French rail network. However, all such charges have to comply with EU legislation.

Shipping

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she expects to respond to the conclusions of the legal working group on application of the National Minimum Wage Act 1988 to seafarers working on non-UK registered vessels travelling between UK ports; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Penning: A legal working group has now concluded its consideration of the application of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 to seafarers working on non-UK registered vessels travelling between UK ports. The Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb), will be responding to the conclusions of the working group in the near future.

Shipping

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Portsmouth South (Mr Hancock) of 23 March 2012, Official Report, column 912W, on shipping: EU law, what assessment she has made of the extent to which the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 will prevent social dumping in the (a) shipping and (b) offshore industries; and if she will place in the Library a copy of any such assessment.

Michael Penning: The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 addresses fair competition and should hinder social dumping through the creation of a level playing field across the international shipping industry.
	The convention provides that ships of non-ratifying countries should have “no more favourable treatment” in the ports of ratifying countries. The impact assessments which we have prepared in support of the proposed UK regulations to implement the MLC, which will be published as part of the consultation package of implementing legislation, will include the impact of applying the convention's provisions to ships of non-ratifying flags.

Shipping

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Portsmouth South (Mr Hancock) of 23 March 2012, Official Report, column 912W, on shipping: EU law, whether UK ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 will result in the MLC applying to all seafarers working on all vessels in UK territorial waters irrespective of (a) seafarer nationality and (b) flag of state.

Michael Penning: The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 will provide comprehensive rights and protection at work for all seafarers regardless of their nationality and the flag of their ship when working on ships to which the MLC applies, as defined in article II of the convention.

Shipping

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether she holds regular meetings with ministerial colleagues in the Ministry of Defence to discuss (a) flagging and (b) employment trends in the Merchant Navy; and when she attended the last such meeting. [R]

Michael Penning: We do not meet with ministerial colleagues in the Ministry of Defence regularly to discuss either flagging or employment trends in the Merchant Navy. The Government's policies are designed to support a strong UK shipping register and Merchant Navy.

Shipping

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 February 2012, Official Report, column 876W, on shipping: treaties, what legal advice she has received on the Maritime Labour Convention 2006; and if she will place in the Library a copy of any such advice. [R]

Michael Penning: As a matter of general policy, and in keeping with the approach taken by other public bodies, the Department does not disclose any legal advice it may receive, and does not disclose whether any such advice has been sought or obtained in any particular case.

Shipping

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 February 2012, Official Report, column 876W, on shipping: treaties, with which requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 the UK is already compliant; what recent meetings she has had with (a) the shipping industry and (b) trade unions at which UK compliance was discussed; how many such meetings there have been since May 2010; and on what dates any such discussions have taken place. [R]

Michael Penning: There are a number of areas in which the UK is already fully compliant with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006; these include Titles 1.2, 1.3, 2.3, 2.7 and 4.5. In addition, current legislation already complies with a number of provisions within the other Titles. Where amendments to existing legislation or new provisions are required, the Government will consult. A first package of such measures will be issued for public consultation shortly.
	The Maritime and Coastguard Agency continues to chair meetings of a tripartite working group to keep the shipping industry and trade unions informed of progress with UK implementation of the MLC and to address any concerns expressed by stakeholders. Since May 2010, the working group has met on nine occasions as follows: May 2010, July 2010, September 2010, November 2010, January 2011, April 2011, June 2011, November 2011 and March 2012.

Shipping: Treaties

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on ratification of the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Carriage of Goods Wholly or Partly by Sea treaty of international rules revising the legal and political framework for maritime carriage of goods; and if she will make a statement. [R]

Michael Penning: This Government support the principle of consolidating, harmonising and modernising existing rules governing the carriage of goods by sea.
	The last Administration set up a stakeholder working group to bring together the various sectors of the UK maritime industry to assist the Government in making the right decision regarding ratification of this convention, commonly known as the ‘Rotterdam Rules’. However, this group was unable to reach any consensus of opinion.
	In these circumstances, the Government are continuing to monitor international reaction to this convention, and will review their position if and when other leading maritime and trading nations ratify it. To date, only one state has done so.

Sickness Absence

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many days of sick leave were taken by staff in her Department in each of the last three years.

Norman Baker: The central Department and its seven executive agencies recorded the following in respect of staff sickness absence during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 calendar years:
	
		
			  Total absence days Total absence days for DfTc 
			 2009 153,992 10,404 
			 2010 146,233 9,189 
			 2011 133,355 7,585 
		
	
	These figures were calculated according to reporting guidelines provided by the Cabinet Office, to whom we report on a quarterly basis.

South West Trains

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to her Department's press notice of 8 May 2012, entitled Extra carriages mean more seats for commuters, whether the three new South Western Trains AM peak suburban services lengthened from eight cars to 10 cars will be added to the Reading to Waterloo service route.

Theresa Villiers: No. The three lengthened morning peak services referred to will be two originating from Guildford and one from Woking. Passengers from Reading will benefit from two new eight-car morning peak services that were announced on 23 December 2011.

Thames Estuary Airport

Mark Reckless: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment her Department has made of the effect of an airport in the Thames Estuary on airspace management.

Theresa Villiers: The Department has made no such assessment since the publication of The Future of Air Transport White Paper in 2003. Prior to that date there was some consideration of airspace issues as part of the study into potential new airport sites in south east England but no detailed assessment was produced by the Department.
	We intend to consult in the summer on a draft sustainable framework for UK aviation. Alongside this we intend to publish a call for evidence on maintaining the UK's international aviation connectivity.

Thames Estuary Airport

Mark Reckless: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether she or her officials have received representations from the French, Belgium and Dutch governments on the potential effect of an airport in the Thames Estuary on French, Belgian or Dutch airspace.

Theresa Villiers: No such representations have been received. We intend to consult in the summer on a draft sustainable framework for UK aviation. Alongside this we intend to publish a call for evidence on maintaining the UK's international aviation connectivity.

Transport

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment her Department has made of the contribution of the transportation sector to the UK economy.

Michael Penning: The National Accounts, published by the Office of National Statistics, record and describe economic activity in the United Kingdom, including an analysis of gross value added by industry. The most recent data for 2009 for transport and storage give a value of £61.9 billion.
	The most recent publication can be found at:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/naa1-rd/united-kingdom-national-accounts/2011-edition/index.html

Bus Travel: North East

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the volume of passenger journeys in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each year since 2010;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the level and adequacy of bus services in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK following the reductions in the bus service operator's grant.

Norman Baker: Statistics on bus passenger journeys, vehicle miles and fares can be found online at
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/series/buses/
	Statistics for 2011-12, will be published in the autumn. Around 78% of bus services are provided commercially, with the remainder generated by local authority tender.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reason he proposes to bring forward the start of individual electoral registration from 2014-15.

Mark Harper: The Government are committed to restoring trust in our political system. There is a widespread concern about electoral fraud in this country—a survey carried out at the end of last year by the Electoral Commission found that 36% of people believed that electoral fraud was a problem. This is a serious issue which we need to address. The Commission's report can be found at:
	http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/146998/2011-Public-Opinion-Winter-Research-Topline.pdf
	When we came to office we were not convinced that that previous legislation was the best way to implement Individual Electoral Registration. It would have led to confusion and would have had a very significant cost. By speeding up the move to a new system we think it will be clearer and easier to communicate to people what we are doing, and save a significant sum of money.

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has made an assessment of public perceptions of electoral registration fraud.

Mark Harper: The Cabinet Office has not made any recent assessment of public perceptions of electoral registration fraud. However the Electoral Commission carried out a survey at the end of last year that found that 36% of people believed that electoral fraud was a problem. While reporting by Association of Chief Police Officers and the Commission indicates that proven instances of fraud are low, public perception remains high and this is a serious issue that we need to address. That is why we are investing to speed up the implementation of Individual Electoral Registration.
	The Commission's report can be found at:
	http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/146998/2011-Public-Opinion-Winter-Research-Topline.pdf

House of Lords: Reform

Guto Bebb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effect of his proposals for reform of the House of Lords on the relationship between the House of Lords and the devolved administrations.

Mark Harper: There is no direct constitutional relationship between the House of Lords and the devolved Administrations.

House of Lords: Reform

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received on House of Lords reform.

Mark Harper: The Government have received more than 2,000 representations since the publication of their White Paper and draft House of Lords Reform Bill in May last year. The majority are concerned with the question of reserved places for Church of England Bishops in a reformed House of Lords.

Prisoners: Voting Rights

Priti Patel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what steps the Government are taking in respect of the voting rights of prisoners following the judgement given in the Scoppola v Italy (No.3) case by the European Court of Human Rights in May 2012; whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals as a result of the case; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  with reference to the judgement given in the Scoppola v Italy (No.3) case by the European Court of Human Rights in May 2012 to which categories of prisoner he proposes to grant the right to vote; and whether he plans to grant prisoners the right to vote based on the (a) type of offence their conviction relates to and (b) length of time they are serving in custody.

Mark Harper: The judgment in the case of Scoppola v. Italy (No. 3) was received on 22 May 2012. The Government will consider the judgment carefully, and its implication on the issue of prisoner voting in the UK.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General how many letters to Ministers in the Law Officers’ Department were (a) not answered, (b) not answered within six months and (c) not answered within three months in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how many such letters were from hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Garnier: The information requested is contained in the following tables.
	
		
			 Non MP correspondence 
			  Number of letters Not answered Not answered within six months Not answered within three months 
			 2010 1,240 0 2 2 
			 2011 1,449 0 0 0 
			 2012(1) 710 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 MP correspondence 
			  Number of letters Not answered Not answered within six months Not answered within three months 
			 2010 150 0 0 1 
			 2011 153 0 0 0 
			 2012(1) 86 0 0 0 
			 (1) Up to end of April. 
		
	
	The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members’ correspondence. The report for 2011 was published on 15 March 2012, Official Report, columns 30-33WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House.

Driving Offences: Prosecutions

Karl McCartney: To ask the Attorney-General how many uninsured drivers were prosecuted in (a) 1997, (b) 2002 and (c) 2011.

Edward Garnier: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of the number of uninsured drivers prosecuted in (a) 1997, (b) 2002 and (c) 2011. This information could be obtained only by examining all of the CPS's cases files, which would incur disproportionate cost.
	Records held by the CPS identify the number of offences charged under section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (use of a motor vehicle not insured or secured against third-party risks) in which a prosecution commenced rather than the number of defendants prosecuted. The data have been maintained since 2005. Prior to 2005 there were no central data. The number of offences prosecuted by the CPS in 2011 was 63,183. This figure represents only those cases prosecuted by the CPS. The Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (Specified Proceedings) Order 1999 allows the police to prosecute uninsured drivers without reference to the CPS. The CPS does not maintain a central record of police prosecutions.

Driving Offences: Prosecutions

Karl McCartney: To ask the Attorney-General what the average size was of each fraudulent insurance claim for which drivers were prosecuted in the years (a) 1997, (b) 2002 and (c) 2011.

Edward Garnier: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of the monetary value of fraudulent insurance claims for which defendants were prosecuted. This information could be obtained only by examining all of the CPS’s cases files, which would incur disproportionate cost.

Driving Offences: Prosecutions

Karl McCartney: To ask the Attorney-General how many drivers were prosecuted for making fraudulent insurance claims in the years (a) 1997, (b) 2002 and (c) 2011.

Edward Garnier: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of the number of drivers prosecuted for making fraudulent insurance claims. This information could be obtained only by examining all of the CPS’s case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.

Empty Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the empty or largely empty buildings owned by the Law Officers' Departments; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Garnier: The Law Officer's Departments do not own any empty buildings.

Empty Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General how many buildings owned by the Law Officers' Departments and the bodies for which he is responsible have been empty for more than two years; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Garnier: None.

Fraud

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General what estimate he has made of the level of (a) procurement and (b) other fraud affecting the Law Officers' Department's spending in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Garnier: In 2010-11 the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lost £18,000 through the misuse of a stolen mobile phone. The CPS had no other instances of procurement or other fraud during the last two financial years. The loss did not have a material impact on CPS spending.
	The remaining Law Officers' Departments have not identified any fraud affecting its spending during the last two financial years.

Mutual Societies

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General what estimate he has made of the number of full-time equivalent staff who will transfer from the Law Officers’ Departments and their Executive agency workforce to a mutual in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Garnier: The information is as follows:
	(a) None
	(b) There are no plans for staff to transfer to a mutual in 2012-13.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Debts Written Off

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much bad debt was written off by his Department in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Hugo Swire: The Northern Ireland Office did not write off any bad debt in 2010-11 or 2011-12.

Departmental Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what target he has set to reduce headcount across his Department and non-departmental public bodies in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Hugo Swire: The Northern Ireland Office keeps its staffing levels under regular review. Vacancies are only filled when there is judged to remain a business case to do so.
	My Department has two non-departmental public bodies—the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland. Both public bodies are independent of Government and the hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the commissions directly on these matters.

Mutual Societies

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of full-time equivalent staff who will transfer from his Department and its non-departmental public bodies' workforce to a mutual in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Hugo Swire: No staff in my Department transferred to a mutual during 2011-12. I am not aware of any such transfers which may take place in 2012-13.
	My Department has two non-departmental public bodies—the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland. Both public bodies are independent of Government and the hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the commissions directly on these matters.

Pay

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff working for his Department and its non-departmental public bodies are employed through off-payroll engagements costing less than £58,200 per annum; and if he will make a statement.

Hugo Swire: The Northern Ireland Office employs four people through off-payroll engagements costing less than £58,200 per annum.
	My Department has two non-departmental public bodies—the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland. Both public bodies are independent of Government and the hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the commissions directly on these matters.

SCOTLAND

Sovereignty

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions and correspondence he has had with the Scottish Government on the transitional arrangements following the devolution of stamp duty under the Scotland Act 2012.

David Mundell: The UK and Scottish Governments are working together through the Joint Exchequer Committee to ensure the successful implementation of the measures introduced by the Scotland Act 2012, including the arrangements to devolve stamp duty land tax. The next meeting of the Joint Exchequer Committee will be prior to the summer recess.

Sovereignty

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether there was any discussion at the Joint Ministerial Conference held on 23 May 2012 on the transfer of (a) stamp duty, (b) income tax powers and (c) any further devolved powers to the Scottish Government following the passage of the Scotland Act 2012.

David Mundell: The devolution of stamp duty land tax, the arrangements for a new Scottish rate of income tax and further devolved powers were not discussed at the Joint Ministerial Committee held on 23 May 2012.

Sovereignty

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether there was any discussion at the Joint Ministerial Conference held on 23 May 2012 on the recent UK Government consultation on the holding of a referendum on independence for Scotland.

David Mundell: The UK Government's recent consultation on Scotland's constitutional future was not discussed at the Joint Ministerial Committee held on 23 May 2012.

Linear Park, Invergordon

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Crown Estate about Linear Park, Invergordon; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Moore: I am aware of concerns in relation to Linear Park, Invergordon and discussions are ongoing with the Crown Estate at official level. I intend to meet my hon. Friend and the Crown Estate on this matter as soon as practicable.

Third Sector

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues in the Cabinet Office on the operation of the Investment and Contract Readiness Fund in Scotland.

David Mundell: The Investment and Contract Readiness Fund is England only and is funded by the Cabinet Office. A company may apply if they are based in and operate within England only.
	The Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), and I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on a wide range of issues concerning social investment. Recently, the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hard) visited Scotland where he visited a community based social enterprise before speaking to and meeting with delegates at a national event in Perth which looked at social investment opportunities and how the Big Society Capital will operate across the whole of the United Kingdom.

WALES

Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many letters to Ministers in her Department were (a) not answered, (b) not answered within six months and (c) not answered within three months in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how many such letters were from hon. Members; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: None. The Cabinet Office reports on the performance of Departments and their agencies in handling Members' and Peers' correspondence in calendar years. Details for 2011 are set out on 15 March 2012, Official Report, column 31WS. Correspondence statistics for 2010 can be found on 28 March 2011, Official Report, 1WS.
	The Wales Office publishes performance on its handling of correspondence as part of the Department's annual reports.

Debts Written Off

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much bad debt was written off by her Department in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: None.

Empty Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if she will list the empty or largely empty buildings owned by her Office; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: None.

Empty Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many buildings owned by her Department and the bodies for which she is responsible have been empty for more than two years; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: None.

Fraud

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate she has made of the level of (a) procurement and (b) other fraud affecting her Department's spending in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: The Wales Office generally uses the procurement contracts awarded by the Ministry of Justice. We have had no evidence of any fraud affecting the Wales Office in 2010-11 or 2011-12.

Departmental Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what target she has set to reduce headcount across her Department in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: All staff in the Wales Office are employees of other Government Departments, mainly the Ministry of Justice and the Welsh Government. The Wales Office keeps its headcount under constant review to ensure that the most efficient use is made of public resources.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Chad

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his most recent estimate is of the number of people living in poverty in Chad.

Stephen O'Brien: According to the latest available data from the World Bank (2003), it is estimated that 62% out of a total population of 11.2 million are living below the international poverty line of $1.25 per day.

Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many letters to Ministers in his Department were (a) not answered, (b) not answered within six months and (c) not answered within three months in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how many such letters were from hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Duncan: DFID is not aware of any letters that fall into categories (a), (b) or (c).
	I would direct the hon. Member to the annual report to Parliament on the performance of Government Departments in replying to Members' correspondence, which was published on 15 March 2012, Official Report, columns 31-33WS.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government is taking to publicise amongst businesses its online research tool for UK companies trading in minerals from conflict-affected areas of Democratic Republic of Congo, or whose products include components with such minerals.

Henry Bellingham: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) launched the conflict minerals website on 29 March 2011 at a trade event for British businesses trading in minerals sourced in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At the time of the launch we promoted the site widely, using social media channels and have advertised it periodically on the main FCO web page since then. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills' web page covering the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development risk awareness tool has a link to the conflict minerals website.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what meetings he attended during his recent trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Andrew Mitchell: During my visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) I met with:
	1. The Governor of Katanga Moïse Katumbi Chapwe and his Cabinet, to discuss priorities for the province and the UK development programme in DRC.
	2. Senior Management from Tenke-Fungurume Mining during a visit to their mine, to better understand constraints in the business environment in DRC.
	3. Ciaran Donnelly, Director of International Rescue Committee (IRC) DRC, who led a visit to Nkumanwa village, to show how UK funding is supporting community recovery and have the opportunity to meet with beneficiaries.
	4. The embassy and Department for International Development (DFID) teams in DRC, to discuss the UK development programme.
	5. The Chinese Ambassador in DRC, to explore opportunities for collaborative working.
	6. President Joseph Kabila, President of the DRC, to discuss development priorities in the DRC and promote increased transparency and accountability, especially in the mining sector, and private sector development.
	7. Major General Adrian Foster, Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in DRC (MONUSCO), to discuss the security situation and humanitarian impact of recent operations.
	8. A selection of private sector actors from a range of industries (Vodacom, Citibank, Rio Tinto, British American Tobacco, Anglo American, Bralima), to explore the opportunities and challenges in the business environment.
	9. Representatives from humanitarian agencies to receive an update on the situation in DRC.
	10. Opposition party representatives, Albert Moleka, Thomas Luhaka, Vital Kamerhe and Samy Badibanga, to discuss the elections and the future role of opposition in promoting democracy and accountability in DRC.

Developing Countries: Sanitation

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development with reference to the outcomes of the sanitation and water for all meeting, what further steps he plans to take to help developing countries meet the Millennium Development Goal on sanitation.

Stephen O'Brien: Access to sanitation is one of the most off-track Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In light of this the UK Government have recently announced that we will double the commitments on water, sanitation and hygiene that we made last year.
	We will focus on providing access to basic services through low-cost technologies such as communal hand pumps and pit latrines. We will achieve this through a range of measures, including challenging charities and the private sector to compete for support on the basis of the value for money they offer.

Developing Countries: Sanitation

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the outcomes of the recent Sanitation and Water for All meeting in Washington.

Andrew Mitchell: I attended the Sanitation and Water for All high-level meeting in Washington on 20 April 2012. It was attended by more than 60 ministers responsible for finance, sanitation and hygiene portfolios from both developed and developing countries. It led to a number of critical commitments to enhance support for global access to sanitation and water. These included a pledge from the UK to double the commitment on water, sanitation and hygiene that we made last year.
	The meeting took place against the backdrop of an announcement that the world had met the Millennium Development Goal target for improved drinking water sources. The attendees noted the success of this achievement but it was evident that much more needed to be done.

Publications

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many publications have been issued by his Department since May 2010.

Alan Duncan: Since May 2010, DFID has issued 243 publications on its departmental website
	www.dfid.gov.uk
	Of these, over 220 were published by DFID at no additional cost, in an electronic only format. Where possible, DFID issues all of its publications at low or zero additional cost.

Sudan: South Sudan

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the humanitarian aid situation in the Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains regions between Sudan and South Sudan.

Stephen O'Brien: The latest report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that over 500,000 people have been displaced or severely affected by the conflicts in Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan, which includes the Nuba Mountains. Of these, more than 140,000 are refugees in South Sudan and Ethiopia. I was also able to discuss the humanitarian situation with Sudanese Bishop Macram Max Gassis when we met earlier this month. It is likely that without a cessation of hostilities the humanitarian situation will only worsen. We continue to press the Government of Sudan and the rebel militias in these areas to cease hostilities and permit access for humanitarian agencies to those that most need it. DFID remains committed to providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict, including through contributions to the Common Humanitarian Funds in both Sudan and South Sudan.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Pensions

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Leader of the House what the pension entitlement is of the holder of the post of (a) Lord Chancellor and (b) Secretary of State for Justice; and if he will make a statement.

George Young: Details of the Lord Chancellor's pension and the pension arrangements for other offices of state are published annually in the Consolidated Fund (CF) Accounts. The Consolidated Accounts for 2010-11 may be found at the following link:
	www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc1012/hc12/1290/1290.pdf
	The entitlement is half of the entitled salary per year and is payable from leaving office for life in accordance with provisions set out in legislation.
	The current Lord Chancellor, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke), has waived his legislative pension entitlement and has agreed instead to take a pension in line with the benefits paid under the Ministerial Pension Scheme (as set out in the Parliamentary Pensions (Consolidation and Amendment) Regulations 1993).
	Where the role of the Secretary of State for Justice is held by the Lord Chancellor, there is no additional pension entitlement as set out in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (Schedule 6, 17 (3)). Where this is not the case, benefits are paid under the Ministerial Pension Scheme (as set out in the Parliamentary Pensions (Consolidation and Amendment) Regulations 1993).

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to ban multi-buy promotions for alcohol in England and Wales.

James Brokenshire: On 23 March, the Government launched their Alcohol Strategy, which included a commitment to consult on a ban on multi-buy promotions in shops. The Government will consult on this proposal in the forthcoming months.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many breaches of stand-alone antisocial behaviour orders have resulted in custodial sentences in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what sentences were awarded to individuals who breached stand-alone antisocial behaviour orders in each of the last five years;
	(3)  how many stand-alone antisocial behaviour orders have been breached in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 22 May 2012
	The number of ‘stand-alone' antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) proved in court to have been breached, together with the type of sentence received, in each year between 2006 and 2010 (the latest year for which data are currently available) can be viewed in the following table.
	ASBO data for 2011 are planned for publication on 18 October 2012.
	
		
			 Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) proved at all courts in England and Wales to have been breached for the first time within the periods shown(1) with sentence breakdown, 2006-10 
			 ASBOs having been issued on application: 2006 2007 2008(2) 2009 2010 
			 Breached(3) 662 636 505 512 484 
			       
			 Sentence received:      
			 Immediate custody(4) 120 95 114 102 96 
			 Community sentence 284 285 209 223 173 
			 Fine 84 87 72 92 100 
			 Discharge(5) 35 36 35 25 28 
			 Otherwise Dealt With(6) 139 133 75 70 87 
			 (1) ASBOs may be breached more than once and in more than one year. In this table ASBOs are counted once only within the period when they were first breached. Therefore only the sentence received on the occasion that the first breach was proved in court is shown in this table. (2) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July, and August 2008. (3 )This table only counts breaches of ASBOs issued on application by magistrates courts acting in their civil capacity and county courts. These are sometimes referred to as ‘stand-alone' ASBOs. Breaches of ASBOs issued following conviction are not included in this table. (4) Includes: Detention and Training Orders; Young Offenders Institute and unsuspended imprisonment. (5) Discharge includes absolute and conditional discharges. (6) The category Otherwise Dealt With (ODW) includes; one day in police cells; disqualification order; restraining order; confiscation order; travel restriction order; disqualification from driving; hospital order; recommendation for deportation; and other miscellaneous disposals. Note: ASBO breach data are compiled by matching records of ASBOs issued with ASBOs breached. The nature of this matching process means that previously published ASBO breach data are subject to minor revision. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders: Easington

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) were granted in the criminal justice system area covering Easington constituency in each of the last five years; and what the most common reason was for granting an ASBO in each such year.

James Brokenshire: The number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued at all courts in the Durham Criminal Justice System (CJS) area in each year between 2006 and 2010 (the latest year for which data are currently available) can be viewed in the following table.
	The reasons for granting an ASBO are recorded in individual case files held by the courts, but not collected centrally.
	
		
			 Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued at all courts(1) in the Durham Criminal Justice System (CJS) area as reported to the Ministry of Justice(2) by the Court Service, 2006 to 2010 
			 CJS area 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 Durham 26 19 41 27 29 
			 (1) Includes ASBOs issued on application by magistrates courts acting in their civil capacity and county courts, which became available on 1 April 1999, and ASBOs made following conviction for a relevant criminal offence at the Crown court and at magistrates courts (acting in their criminal capacity), which became available on 2 December 2002. (2) Prior to the creation of the Ministry of Justice on 9 May 2007, numbers of ASBOs issued were reported to Home Office by the Court Service. Note: Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Prepared by Justice Statistics Analytical Services within the Ministry of Justice.

Antisocial Behaviour: Alcoholic Drinks

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to tackle alcohol-related antisocial behaviour.

James Brokenshire: The Government have taken decisive steps to tackle with alcohol-related antisocial behaviour. We have set out further radical proposals to tackle the harms caused by alcohol misuse in the Government's Alcohol Strategy, which was published on 23 March. We have also legislated to give the police and local communities more powers to deal with problems caused by irresponsible businesses and late night drinking.

Association of Chief Police Officers

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding her Department plans to provide to the Association of Chief Police Officers for the financial year 2012-13.

Nick Herbert: The Home Secretary plans to provide the Association of Chief Police Officers headquarters with funding of £1,400,000 in financial year 2012-13. A breakdown of the figures is provided in the table.
	
		
			 Grant stream Planned funding (£000) 
			 Home Office Grant-in-Aid 570 
			 UK Disaster Victims Identification (UKDVI) 454 
			 Preparing/delivering the Olympic and Paralympic Safety and Security Strategy 376 
			 Total 1,400

Asylum: Young People

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will evaluate the effects of the age assessments dental x-ray pilots; and if she will ensure that young people are consulted as part of such an evaluation.

Damian Green: When the dental x-ray trial is completed it will be fully evaluated. The trial will be open only to those asylum applicants who are assessed by Croydon council as adults. The agency expects to take into account the views of participants as part of the trial evaluation.

Benzodiazepines

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to EU Council Directive Decision 2008/206/JHA, whether 1-benzylpiperazine is subject to control measures and criminal provisions in the UK.

James Brokenshire: 1-benzylpiperazine (BZP) became a controlled Class C drug under Schedule 2 (Part III) to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 on 23 December 2009, together with its related compounds by way of a generic definition provided by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

Closed Circuit Television

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of criminal cases have been investigated by the police using CCTV evidence in 2012.

Nick Herbert: holding answer 15 May 2012
	This information is not held centrally.

Complaints

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints about the work of her Department and each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies were received in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: Details of those complaints received by the Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are shown in the following table.
	There are no centrally-held data about the number of complaints received. Available data are shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Home Office/agency/non-departmental public body 2010-11 2011-11 
			 Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs 0 0 
			 Animal Procedures Committee 0 0 
			 Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) (1)2,246 (1)1,960 
			 Criminal Records Bureau Independent Monitor (2)— (2)— 
			 HOHQ correspondence complaints received centrally 15 4 
			 Equality and Human Rights Commission 80 64 
			 Forensic Science Regulator 0 0 
			 HM Inspectorate of Constabulary 0 1 
			 Identity and Passport Service (3)7,353 (3)8,258 
			 Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (now known as the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration) 0 0 
			 Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) (4)508 (4)466 
		
	
	
		
			 Independent Safeguarding Authority 59 21 
			 Interim CCTV Regulator 0 0 
			 Investigatory Powers Tribunal (includes Intelligence Services Commissioner and the Interception of Communications Commissioner) 164 (2)— 
			 Migration Advisory Committee 0 0 
			 National DNA Database Ethics Group 0 0 
			 National Policing Improvement Agency 0 0 
			 Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OSIC) (5)n/a (5)n/a 
			 Office of Surveillance Commissioners 0 0 
			 Police Advisory Board for England and Wales 0 0 
			 Police Arbitration Panel 0 0 
			 Police Discipline Appeals Tribunal 0 0 
			 Police Negotiating Board 0 0 
			 Security Industry Authority 751 512 
			 Serious Organised Crime Agency 20 34 
			 Technical Advisory Board 0 0 
			 UK Border Agency (UKBA) (6)104 serious misconduct complaints (6)88 serious misconduct complaints 
			  (6)1,182 minor misconduct complaints (6)1,118 minor misconduct complaints 
			  (6)10,554 service complaints (6)12,068 service complaints 
			 (1) The totals include complaints submitted about the service provided as well as other issues such as the retention of police records, recruitment decisions and the eligibility criteria for CRB checks. (2) Not available. (3) Figures include those for the General Register Office. (4) Complaints received by the IPCC in regard to its work and staff. (5) All complaints about the OISC have to be made to the parliamentary ombudsman. (6) UKBA categorises complaints from members of the public in three different ways: (i) Serious misconduct complaints. Allegations of any unprofessional behaviour which, if substantiated, would lead to misconduct proceedings. (ii) Minor misconduct complaints are usually to do with instances of rudeness and unprofessional conduct which are not serious enough to warrant a formal investigation. (iii) Service complaints are related to the way that the agency works, for example, delay, lost documents or administrative failings. These complaints are both about the actual service provided and the operational policies that the agency operates.

Confiscation Orders

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many confiscation orders have been (a) transmitted to and (b) received from other EU member states under EU Council Framework Decision 2006/783/JHA in each year since 2007.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 24 May 2012
	The UK has not implemented this Framework Decision and so has not transmitted cases under its provisions. Statistics on the number of confiscation cases received from EU member states since 2007 are as follows:
	
		
			 Confiscation cases for EU countries by year 
			  Incoming 
			 2007 1 
			 2008 0 
			 2009 1 
			 2010 3 
			 2011 2 
			 2012 1 
		
	
	It is not possible to identify the instrument under which these requests were made to the UK.

Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters to Ministers in her Department were (a) not answered, (b) not answered within six months and (c) not answered within three months in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how many such letters were from hon. Members; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: Available data, for letters received centrally in the Department, are as follows:
	
		
			  Letters received between April 2010 and March 2011 Letters received between April 2011 and March 2012 
			  In general From MPs In general From MPs 
			 Not answered 3 3 5 5 
			 Not answered within six months 125 54 32 6 
			 Not answered within three months 646 307 270 205 
		
	
	The Cabinet Office publishes an annual report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members' correspondence. The report for 2011 was published on 15 March 2012, Official Report, columns 30-33WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House.

Crime: Alcoholic Drinks

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2012, Official Report, columns 185-90W, on alcoholic drinks, what assessment she has made of any link between the decrease in average weekly consumption in the 16 to 26 age group between 2000 and 2010 and the decrease in crime during this period.

James Brokenshire: The Home Department has not made any assessment of the link between the decrease in average weekly consumption in the 16-26 age group between 2000 and 2010 and the decrease in crime during this period.

Criminal Proceedings

George Freeman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many criminal cases a warrant has been issued to intercept the content of suspects' emails in the last three months; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: All information about the number of interception warrants issued is provided by the Interception of Communications Commissioner in his annual reports. For the period in question, this would be covered within the annual report expected to be published in summer 2013. Past reports can be found via:
	www.intelligencecommissioners.com

Criminal Proceedings: EU Law

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to EU Council Framework Decision 2008/675/JHA, in what circumstances she envisages that the UK would request special intervention units from other EU member states to operate on UK soil.

James Brokenshire: The United Kingdom's response to any incident will be individually tailored to the nature and scale of that incident.
	Should we identify the need to seek the support of our allies in managing a crisis situation, we would of course do so.

Cybercrime

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to respond to the Twelfth Report from the Science and Technology Committee, Session 2010-12, on Malware and cyber crime.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 24 May 2012
	The Government responded to the report on 2 April 2012.

Databases: Telecommunications

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a notification under the Technical Standards Directive will be required prior to the implementation of the Communications Capabilities Development Programme; and if she will place in the Library a copy of any such notification.

James Brokenshire: We will consider whether a notification under the technical standards directive is required and, if so, a copy will be placed in the House Library.

Debts Written Off

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much bad debt was written off by her Department in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: The Home Office did not write off any bad debt in 2010-11. No figures are available for 2011-12, as the accounts are currently being audited and due to be published in July.

Deportation: EU Nationals

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of other EU member states (a) were deported from the UK to the country of their nationality and (b) faced restrictions on the right of entry and the right of residence on the grounds of public policy, public security or public health under Article 27 of Directive 2004/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the rights of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the member states in each of the last five years.

Damian Green: In the following answer, deportations refers to the number of foreign national offenders removed from the United Kingdom.
	In 2010-11, 5,339 foreign national offenders were removed or deported from the UK. The UK Border Agency (UKBA) policy is not to disclose the countries to which foreign national offenders are removed or deported as this could jeopardise diplomatic relations.
	The figures above have been obtained from electronic management information records. Figures for the years prior to 2010-11 are not available.
	All decisions to make a deportation order against EEA nationals and their family members on public policy grounds are made in accordance with the 2006 Regulations and, therefore, Directive 2004/58/EC.
	Such a decision is akin to a conducive decision under s.3(5)(a) of the Immigration Act 1971. A deportation order prevents entry to the UK while it remains in force, in accordance with section 5(1) of the Immigration Act 1971. It remains in force until it is formally revoked by the UKBA.

Detention Centres: Children

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any unaccompanied children were detained for immigration purposes in Wales in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010, (d) 2011 and (e) up to 30 April 2012.

Damian Green: No unaccompanied children were detained for immigration purposes in Wales in the period from 1 January 2008 to 30 April 2012.

Disclosure of Information

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of EU Council Framework Decision 2006/960/JHA in simplifying the exchange of information and intelligence between the member states of the EU.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 24 May 2012
	The UK must decide, no later than 31 May 2014, whether to accept full European Court of Justice jurisdiction over those EU police and criminal justice measures adopted before 1 December 2009 which have not been amended or replaced. This measure, Council Framework Decision 2006/960/JHA, also referred to as the Swedish Initiative falls within the scope of that decision and will be reviewed accordingly.

Disclosure of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department spent on the updating of published data in line with the Government's transparency agenda in each month since September 2011.

Damian Green: The costs of publishing data to support the Government's transparency agenda have not been disaggregated from other aspects of managing the work to which the data relate. In the main, they form a small proportion of those overall costs. The principal exceptions to this are the publication of financial spend data and the costs of maintaining Police.uk.
	We have estimated that the annual cost of publishing financial spend data, at the current threshold of £25,000 and over, is £110,000. The maintenance and support costs of the national crime mapping website, Police.uk, are £163,000 per annum.
	We also publish our energy consumption data using a third party supplier: the cost of this is less than £10,000 per annum. In all three cases, monthly figures are not available.

Emergency Services: Scotland

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of cross border issues arising from the creation of a single (a) police force and (b) fire and rescue service in Scotland.

Nick Herbert: holding answer 17 May 2012
	We will stand ready to work with the Scottish Government to ensure that there is no impact upon the operational effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in England and Wales through the creation of the Scottish Police Service.
	The fire and rescue service in England is not the responsibility of the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Empty Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will list the empty or largely empty buildings owned by her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: The Department owns no empty or largely empty buildings, except where held for purposes related to national security.

Empty Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many buildings owned by her Department and the bodies for which she is responsible have been empty for more than two years; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: The Department and the bodies for which it is responsible own no buildings that have been empty for more than two years, except where needed on grounds of national security.

Entry Clearances: Pakistan

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2012, Official Report, column 434W, on entry clearances: Pakistan, what the longest time was between the receipt by her Department of a determination allowing an entry clearance (a) settlement appeal and (b) appeal for a family visitor and the issuing of entry clearance to the appellant by the British high commission in Pakistan for entry clearances issued in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012 to date.

Damian Green: This information is not held centrally and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

Eurojust

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of EU Council Decision 2008/426/JHA on strengthening Eurojust.

James Brokenshire: The UK must decide, no later than 31 May 2014, whether to accept full European Court of Justice jurisdiction over those EU police and criminal justice measures adopted before 1 December 2009 which have not been amended or replaced. This measure, EU Council Decision 2008/426/JHA on strengthening Eurojust, falls within the scope of that decision and will be reviewed accordingly.

Extradition Review

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what she plans to respond to the review of the UK's extradition arrangements by Lord Justice Scott Baker.

Damian Green: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz) on 22 May 2012, Official Report, columns 595-96W.

Forced Marriage

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of forced marriages in (a) Lancashire and (b) England in each of the last five years.

Lynne Featherstone: We do not hold estimated figures for Lancashire and England for each of the last five years. It is difficult to estimate the scale of forced marriage in the UK. The very nature of forced marriage means that it is likely that many cases go unreported.
	Research by the National Centre for Social Research commissioned by the then Department for Children, Schools and Families estimated that the national prevalence of reported cases of forced marriage in England was between 5,000 and 8,000 in 2008.
	The following statistics reflect the number of cases reported to the joint Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) and their regional distribution. Unfortunately we do not hold figures specifically for Lancashire.
	Statistics for January to December 2011
	1,468 cases where the FMU have given advice or support related to a possible forced marriage.
	Within the UK the geographical distribution of instances was as follows: London .(18.9%), West Midlands (13.4%), North West (12.7%), Yorkshire & Humberside (10.3%), South East (8.9%), East of England (3.7%), East Midlands (3.4%), Scotland (2.3%), South West (1.4%), Wales (1.3%), North East (1.0%), Northern Ireland (0%) and unknown (22.6%).
	Statistics for January to December 2010
	1,735 instances where the FMU have given advice or support related to a possible forced marriage.
	Within the UK the geographical distribution of instances was as follows: London (21.4%), West Midlands (13.6%), North West (13.6%), South East (9.1%), Yorkshire & Humberside (8.8%), East Midlands (5%), East of England (3.6%), North East (3.2%), Scotland (2.7%), South West (2.2%), Wales (1.1%), Northern Ireland (0.1%) and unknown (15.7%).
	Statistics for January to December 2009
	1,682 instances in which the FMU gave advice or support related to possible forced marriage.
	Within the UK the geographical distribution of cases where known was as follows: London (29%), North West (17%), West Midlands (14%), Yorkshire and Humberside (10%), South East (9%), East Midlands (7%), East of England (4%), North East, Wales, South West (3% each), Scotland (1%).
	Statistics for January to December 2008
	1,618 instances in which the FMU gave advice or support related to possible forced marriage.
	Within the UK the geographical distribution of cases where known was as follows: London (25%), West Midlands (16%), North West (15%), Yorkshire and Humberside (10%), South East (10%), East Midlands (7%), East of England (5%), North East (4%), Wales (3%), Scotland (3%), South West (2%).
	Prior to 2008 the FMU only collated data on cases where actual assistance was provided, which comprised the following:
	Statistics for January to December 2007
	262 cases of forced marriage, including both assistance (168) and immigration cases (94), dealt with by the FMU in the UK and overseas.

Fur Trade

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the extent of the illegal animal fur trade in London; and what plans she has to reduce such trade.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has made no recent assessment of the illegal animal fur trade in London. The Metropolitan Police Service's Wildlife Crime Unit is responsible for enforcing wildlife laws in the London area, and reducing the trade of endangered species in London is part of their normal enforcement duties.

Human Trafficking Ministerial Group

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who attended the April 2012 meeting of the Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group on Human Trafficking; what items were on the group’s agenda at that meeting; and what conclusions were reached.

Damian Green: The group discussed human trafficking and the Olympics, its role as National Rapporteur and assessments of trends in human trafficking. It agreed revised terms of reference to reflect its role as the National Rapporteur. A list of members and attendees for this meeting is provided as follows:
	Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group (IDMG) on Human Trafficking
	Ministerial-level meeting attendees and non-attending members
	17 April 2012
	Attendees:
	Damian Green MP, Minister for Immigration (Chair)
	Tim Loughton MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families
	Jeremy Browne MP, Minister of State, FCO
	Crispin Blunt MP, Minister for Justice
	Baroness Hanham MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities
	David Jones MP, Wales Office
	David Ford MLA, Northern Ireland Executive
	Apologies:
	Lynne Featherstone MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equalities and Criminal Information
	Stephen O’Brien MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development(1)
	Anne Milton MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health(1)
	Chris Grayling MP, Minister for Employment(1)
	Kenny MacAskill MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Scottish Executive(1)
	David Mundell MP, Scotland Office(1)
	Carl Sargeant AM, Welsh Assembly Government
	Edward Garnier QC MP, Solicitor-General(1)
	(1) Indicates official level deputies present at the meeting.

Human Trafficking: Children

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Burnley of 17 May 2012, Official Report, column 256W, on human trafficking: children, what steps she is taking to (a) enhance her Department's ability to act early upstream and (b) achieve smarter multi-agency work at the border in order to tackle child trafficking.

Damian Green: The Government's human trafficking strategy includes a number of actions designed to enhance the United Kingdom's ability to act early and to deliver smarter multi-agency working at the border to better identify and protect human trafficking victims, including child victims.
	Specifically, the Home Office, working in partnership with a range of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other partners, is using existing networks abroad to tackle this issue. For example we have written to Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) posts stationed in identified priority countries to include human trafficking in their country business plans and to raise awareness. We have also facilitated contact between Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre International Child Protection Networks abroad and NGOs to ensure that we combine all our efforts to act early upstream on this issue.
	The Home Office is also reviewing the information available on embassy websites for people intending to travel or work in the UK, in order to raise awareness of the threat of trafficking.
	The Department for International Development (DFID) is also supporting a new regional anti-trafficking project in South Asia, focusing especially on labour migration of women and girls in the garment and domestic sectors in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. The programme aims to reduce trafficking of 60,000 women and girls in these sectors over four years and the Home Office is represented on its steering group.
	The Government are also working to raise awareness locally and build on the success of multi-agency child safeguarding teams at the border such as Operation Newbridge and Paladin by mapping the key components of these models and working to ensure that intelligence structures are in place to support identification of priority threat ports. We are raising awareness of these models locally for example through inclusion of these good practice examples in updated guidance for practitioners ‘Safeguarding Children who may have been trafficked'. This guidance can be found at:
	https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DFE-00084-2011
	We are also raising awareness of child trafficking as a form of human trafficking with the airline industry, and this has successfully been tested with Virgin Atlantic.

Human Trafficking: Children

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 19 April 2012, Official Report, column 459W, on human trafficking: children, how many UK nationals were victims of child trafficking in each year since April 2009.

Damian Green: The following data, provided by the UK Human Trafficking Centre, set out the numbers of conclusive decisions made on UK minors under the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), in each year for which data are available since 2009.
	
		
			 Victims of human trafficking—UK national minors 
			  Number 
			 2009 (from 1 April) 25 
			 2010 8 
			 2011 (to 30 September) 16 
		
	
	These data show the number of minors referred to the NRM who have received a positive Conclusive Grounds decision and have, therefore, been found to be a victim of trafficking.

Immigration controls

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements her Department has put in place to ensure improvement in the event that the UK Border Force does not meet the target times for queues for entry into the UK at airports.

Damian Green: Our sampling of queues shows that the vast majority of EEA passengers pass through immigration control quickly. However queue lengths have on occasions reached unacceptable levels and we introduced a range of measures to combat this. We will continue to monitor queues closely (and are developing more efficient methods for doing this), as well as reviewing our performance on a regular basis.

Immigration controls

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements she is establishing to measure the length of time passengers queue at airports on arrival in the UK.

Damian Green: We are designing and testing better, more precise ways of measuring queues, and have assembled a panel of expert scientists to check our reasoning. BAA and Border Force have agreed to work in close collaboration on this.

Immigration controls

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the passports presented to UK Border Agency staff at desks designated for UK and EU passport holders which were screened under the e-passport accelerated procedure were from UK passport holders in the latest period for which figures are available.

Damian Green: holding answer 17 May 2012
	In April 2012, 631,383 passengers used one of the 63 e-Gates at one of the 15 airport terminals equipped with this technology.
	Of these, 478,032 passengers used a UK passport, equating to 75.17% of passengers using an e-Gate.

Immigration Controls: Ports

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) detentions and (c) customs seizures there were at UK entry ports in (i) April 2012, (ii) April 2011 and (iii) April 2010.

Damian Green: holding answer 21 May 2012
	We are unable to provide any statistics for the number of detentions at UK entry points. Published seizure statistics are available on drug seizures and tobacco seizures. Data on other commodities seized are not published.
	The data on drug seizures are available on the Home Office website:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/police-research/hosb1711/
	However, please be aware that these statistics do not differentiate between the seizures made at the border and those made inland.
	The data on tobacco seizures are available on the UK Border Agency website:
	http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/annual-level-of-tax/

Immigration: Lancashire

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will estimate (a) the number of asylum seekers resident in and (b) the level of net migration into Lancashire in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Damian Green: County level data are not held in a format compatible with National Statistics protocols.
	However, the UK Border Agency publishes statistics on a quarterly and annual basis that cover all asylum applications to the UK broken down by nationality. Published statistics regarding asylum applications can be found in the Library of the House and by following this link:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum-research/immigration-tabs-q4-2011/asylum1-q4-2011-tabs
	Net migration on a national level is published on the Office of National Statistics website, and can be found at the following location:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-256033

Investigatory Powers Tribunal

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects the Investigatory Powers Tribunal to publish its 2011 annual report; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) is entirely independent from Government, and has no statutory obligation to produce an annual report. That said, the Government understand that the IPT will be placing statistics for cases received and resolved in 2011 on its website
	www.ipt-uk.com
	in the near future.

Khat: Smuggling

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the level of smuggling of khat from the UK by organised crime and terrorist groups.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has not made any formal assessment into the level of khat exportation from the UK by organised crime and terrorist groups. The Government are currently reviewing the case for control of khat under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs will consider all evidence on this issue available to it. Its advice will inform the Secretary of State for the Home Department’s decision.

Larne Detention Centre

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she has taken to enable detainees in Larne Detention Centre to access legal advice.

Damian Green: People detained at Larne House are advised of their rights from the outset of detention. They are given access to legal advice at any time during their stay at the facility. Assistance provided includes help from immigration and custody staff, and information leaflets and posters about how and where to access legal advice. Detainees also have free phone and internet access and private rooms for meetings with legal representatives.

Licensed Premises: Security

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 15 May 2012, Official Report, column 65W, on licensed premises: security, 
	(1)  if she will set a date by when the guidance will be available;
	(2)  whether existing guidance on false identification documents for door supervisors remains operational; and if she will make a statement.

Lynne Featherstone: Previously published guidance has been withdrawn. Therefore it does not remain operational. Work continues to revise the guidance and it will be published shortly.

Licensing Laws: Enfield

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information her Department holds on the number of alcohol licences revoked by the London borough of Enfield since the coming into force of the Licensing Act 2003.

James Brokenshire: The latest available information shows the number of premises licences, club premises certificates and personal licences surrendered, lapsed, revoked, forfeited, suspended or withdrawn in the London borough of Enfield, between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2010. These figures can be seen within the following tables. They include all such authorisations for licensable activities under the Licensing Act 2003 in the London borough of Enfield, including the sale of alcohol.
	
		
			 Table 1: Premises Licences surrendered, lapsed, suspended by a court, closure notice, London borough of Enfield, 2006-07 to 2009-10 
			 Financial year Surrendered(1) Lapsed(2) Suspended by a court(3) Closure notice(4) 
			 2006-07 23 0 0 (5)— 
			 2007-08 8 1 0 0 
			 2008-09 5 0 0 0 
			 2009-10 21 8 0 0 
			 (1) Where a premises licence is surrendered under section 28 of the Licensing Act 2003. (2) Where a premises licence has lapsed due to the death, incapacity, insolvency etc. of the licence holder, as set out under section 27 of the Licensing Act 2003. Excludes instances where a premises licence was in effect for a limited period, but the period has since expired (e.g. one-off events). (3) Where a premises licence is suspended by a court, under section 147B(1) of the Licensing Act 2003 (as amended by the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006) for the sale or supply of alcohol, following an offence of persistently selling to under-age children. (4) Where a premises is prohibited from selling alcohol for 48 hours following a closure notice under S.169A. (5) Unknown (not collected in 2006-07). 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Club premises certificates surrendered, lapsed, withdrawn, London borough of Enfield, 2006-07 to 2009-10 
			 Financial year Surrendered(1) Lapsed(2) Withdrawn(3) 
			 2006-07(2) 3 0 0 
			 2007-08 1 0 0 
			 2008-09 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 2009-10 4 0 0 
			 (1) Where a club premises certificate is surrendered under section 81(3) of the Licensing Act 2003. (2) Where a club premises certificates has lapsed because it had effect for a limited period, but that period has since expired. (3) Where a club premises certificate is withdrawn under section 90 of the Licensing Act 2003. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 3: Personal Licences surrendered, revoked, forfeited, suspended by a court, London borough of Enfield, 2006-07 to 2009-10 
			 Financial year Surrendered(1) Revoked(2) Forfeitedt(3) Suspended by a court(4) 
			 2006-07 2 0 0 0 
			 2007-08 0 0 0 0 
			 2008-09 0 0 0 0 
			 2009-10 0 0 1 0 
			 (1) Where a personal licence is surrendered under section 116 of the Licensing Act 2003. (2) Where a personal licence is revoked under section 124 of the Licensing Act 2003. (3) Where a premises licence has been forfeited following a court order under section 129 of the Licensing Act 2003 in the time period specified (and where that order has not been suspended, pending an appeal under sections 129(4) or 130 of the Licensing Act 2003). (4) Where a personal licence is suspended following a court order under section 129 of the Licensing Act 2003 in the time period specified (and where that order has not been suspended, pending an appeal under sections 129(4) or 130 of the Licensing Act 2003).

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to answer the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton of 16 April 2012 with regard to Mr M. Ayub.

Damian Green: I refer the right hon. Member to my letter of 28 May 2012.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to answer the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton of 16 April 2012 with regard to Mr S. A. Hasan.

Damian Green: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 30 May 2012.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to answer the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton of 18 April 2012 with regard to Mr G. Fletcher.

Damian Green: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 30 May 2012.

Mutual Societies

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of full-time equivalent staff who will transfer from her Department, its non-departmental public bodies and executive agencies workforce to a mutual in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: There have been no transfers of staff to a mutual in 2011-12 from the Home Office, its agencies or non-departmental public bodies.
	There are no plans to transfer any staff from within the Home Office, its agencies or non-departmental public bodies in 2012-13.

Departmental Administration Costs

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on the administration of her Department in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12.

Damian Green: The Home Office spent £190.9 million on administration in financial year 2009-10 and £180.3 million in financial year 2010-11. The spending data for the financial year 2011-12 are currently being audited and are due to be published in July.

Passports

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average processing time was from time of receipt to time of dispatch to applicant for passport postal applications received by the Identity and Passport Service (a) in each month of the year of receipt and (b) at each passport application processing facility in each of the last three years.

Damian Green: The information in the table, provided by the Identity and Passport Service shows the monthly average turnaround times for applications in days for each location processing postal passport applications for 2009, 2010, and 2011.
	
		
			 Average passport turnaround 
			 days 
			  London North West and Central East and Midlands Wales and South West Scotland Northern Ireland North East National Average 
			 2011         
			 December 0 6.7 6.2 2.3 1.3 3.4 5.4 5.5 
			 November 0 8.6 8.5 2.9 1.2 8.3 7.3 7.6 
			 October 0 5.4 5.9 1.9 1.1 5.4 6.2 5.2 
			 September 0 3.2 3.1 1.9 3.4 3.2 3.2 2.9 
			 August 0 6.9 7 2 3.5 5.3 6 5.8 
			 July 0 6.9 6.9 2.2 2.7 5.4 6.8 6.3 
			 June 0 2.7 3.1 2.7 1.3 3 3 2.9 
			 May 0 4.4 4.1 2.6 2.1 3.8 4.4 4.1 
			 April 2 2.1 2.2 1.9 2.2 1.8 1.9 2 
			 March 0.5 2.4 2.9 3.6 1.7 2.5 2.6 2.7 
			 February 1.3 1.9 2.6 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.3 2.3 
			 January 0 2.2 2.2 2.6 1.2 2.5 2.5 2.4 
			          
			 2010         
			 December 0.3 2.6 2.2 2.2 1.8 2.1 2.9 2.5 
			 November 2.5 2 1.9 1.7 2 1.4 2.7 2.2 
			 October 2.9 1.7 2.2 1.8 2 2.4 2 2 
			 September 0 1.8 2.1 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 
			 August 0 1.8 2.7 2.5 1.8 2.1 1.9 2.1 
			 July 0 2.4 4.4 3.5 2.7 3.9 3.2 3.3 
			 June 0.3 4.2 5.2 4.5 2.7 5.6 3.8 4.3 
			 May 2.9 4.9 5.3 5.9 2.6 5.6 5.4 5.2 
			 April 2 4.9 5.6 5.9 1.9 5.6 5.8 5.4 
			 March 2.4 3.3 3.4 3.7 1.9 3.8 3.4 3.4 
			 February 3.6 2.3 2.4 2.9 1.7 2.3 2.2 2.4 
			 January 6.4 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.4 2.1 1.6 1.7 
			          
			 2009         
			 December 2.3 1.8 1.7 1.8 1.4 2.3 1.6 1,8 
			 November 1.5 2.1 2 1.5 1.1 2 1.6 1.8 
			 October 2.2 2.4 2.2 1.5 1.5 2.1 2.1 2 
			 September 1.2 5.5 5.7 3.8 1.9 3.6 3.7 4.3 
			 August 0 6.1 6.1 6.2 2.3 5.4 6.2 6 
			 July 1.5 4.9 7.1 5.6 2.8 7.5 6.1 6 
			 June 1.9 6.2 7.2 6.4 3 8.1 6.7 6.7 
			 May 3 4.4 4.6 3.7 2 4.6 4.6 4.3 
			 April 1.1 3 2.6 1.8 1.4 2.8 2.4 2.4 
			 March 1.4 1.9 2.4 1.4 2.3 3 2 2 
			 February 0 1.7 1.9 1.2 1.9 2 1.5 1.6 
			 January 0 1.6 1.5 1.1 2.1 1.7 1.4 1.4

Passports

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the Identity and Passport Service has not met its obligation in applicable service level agreements on passport postal application turnaround times in each of the last three years.

Damian Green: The performance of the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) against its agreed targets is reported in its annual report. Monthly performance against targets is published on the Home Office website.
	Copies of the IPS annual reports for 2009-10 and 2010-11 can be found in the House Library.
	The 2011-12 annual report will be published in summer 2012 and a copy will be placed in the House Library.

Pay

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff working for her Department, its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies are employed through off-payroll engagements costing less than £58,200 per annum; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: At 31 January 2012, the Home Department, including its Executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies, had 20 staff employed through off-payroll arrangements costing less than £58,200 per annum. The reference date used is consistent with recently published information for engagements costing more than £58,200 per annum.

Police and Crime Commissioners

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what process she has put in place in respect of the management of historic data and information held by police authorities following the election of police and crime commissioners;
	(2)  what procedures her Department has put in place for the wind-up of police authorities following the election of police and crime commissioners;
	(3)  what she proposes will happen to the assets held by police authorities following the election of police and crime commissioners.

Nick Herbert: I chair the national transition board to manage the main transition arrangements that need to be addressed before police and crime commissioners (PCCs) come into post. Each Police Authority has set up a transition board to prepare locally for PCCs. The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 will automatically transfer assets and staff employed by police authorities to PCCs. Duties to hold information and records will also transfer and transition boards will be making arrangements for this handover.

Police and Crime Commissioners: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2012, Official Report, column 600W, on police and crime commissioner elections, who will be responsible for meeting the cost of police and crime commissioner elections in Wales.

Nick Herbert: The cost of elections for Police and Crime Commissioners in Wales and England will be provided by central Government. This money will not come from funds that would otherwise have gone to forces.

Police: Court Orders

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effects on her policies of the judgement on 17 May on journalistic material collected at Dale Farm and the use of production orders; and whether she plans to hold a central register of (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful applications for production orders.

Nick Herbert: I have made no such assessment and have no plans to create a central register.

Police: Retirement

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had on the remuneration on retirement for senior police officers who have been found to have committed disciplinary offences.

Nick Herbert: The Independent Review of Police Officer and Staff Remuneration and Conditions recommended that misconduct hearings should have the power to remove some or all of a severance payment of a chief officer who has been found to have violated the relevant misconduct regulations. This has been put to the Police Negotiating Board for consideration.

Police: Rural Areas

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress she has made on rural policing; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Herbert: The Government fully recognise the vulnerabilities of rural communities to particular crimes, and are committed to ensuring that policing priorities are focused on what matters to local people. The election of Police and Crime Commissioners in November 2012 will ensure that rural communities are given a stronger voice in determining local policing priorities, and the Government are providing the public with more street-level information about crime and antisocial behaviour on a monthly basis to ensure that they have the information to hold local forces to account. Schemes such as Farmwatch show how a local policing approach which empowers rural communities, working in partnership with the police and business, can share good practice to tackle rural crime.

Proceeds of Crime

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 15 May 2012, Official Report, column 67W, on proceeds of crime, how the sums provided to the bodies listed were used; and which local authorities received funds from assets recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

James Brokenshire: In 2010-11, of the sums allocated under the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme to relevant bodies, 94% was used on further asset recovery work, 3% on crime reduction initiatives and 3% on community projects.
	Local authorities that received funds from this scheme in 2010-11 are as follows:
	List of local authorities that received recovered assets in 2010-11:
	Birmingham City Council
	Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
	Bridgend County Borough Council
	Bristol City Council
	Cardiff County Council
	Carmarthenshire County Council
	Central Bedfordshire Council
	Cheshire East Borough Council
	Cheshire West and Chester Council
	City and County of Swansea
	City of Stoke-on-Trent Council
	City of York Council
	Coventry City Council
	Cumbria County Council
	Denbighshire County Council
	Derbyshire County Council
	Dorset County Council
	Flintshire County Council
	Gloucestershire County Council
	Hampshire County Council
	Herefordshire Council
	Hertfordshire County Council
	Kirklees Metropolitan Council
	Lancashire County Council
	Leeds City Council
	Leicestershire County Council
	Liverpool City Council
	London Borough of Bexley
	London Borough of Brent and Harrow
	London Borough of Bromley
	London Borough of Camden
	London Borough of Enfield
	London Borough of Hackney
	London Borough of Havering
	London Borough of Hounslow
	London Borough of Lewisham
	London Borough of Southwark
	London Borough of Sutton
	London Borough of Tower Hamlets
	London Borough of Waltham Forest
	Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
	Newport City Council
	Norfolk County Council
	North Yorkshire County Council
	Northamptonshire County Council
	Nottingham City Council
	Nottinghamshire County Council
	Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council
	Plymouth City Council
	Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
	Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council
	Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
	Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
	Sheffield County Council
	Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
	Staffordshire County Council
	Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
	Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council
	Wakefield Metropolitan District Council
	Warrington Borough Council
	West Yorkshire Joint Services
	Wirral Borough Council
	Worcestershire County Council

Proceeds of Crime

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what her policy is on distribution of the proceeds of crime;
	(2)  what steps she takes to allow community projects to utilise the proceeds of crime.

James Brokenshire: Under the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme, frontline agencies receive 50% of the assets they recover. The use of incentive payments is a matter for each agency but at least a portion should be used to improve performance on asset recovery and, where appropriate, to fund local crime-fighting priorities for the benefit of the community.

Proceeds of Crime

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the value was of proceeds of crime in the UK in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011.

James Brokenshire: The value of net receipts in England and Wales recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 in 2009-10 was £153.7 million and in 2010-11 was £157.6 million. The Home Office does not hold information on Scotland and Northern Ireland as assets recovered by agencies there are returned to the devolved Administrations.

Proceeds of Crime

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of EU Council Decision 2007/845/JHA in tracing and identifying the proceeds of crime.

James Brokenshire: The UK must decide, no later than 31 May 2014, whether to accept full European Court of Justice jurisdiction over those EU police and criminal justice measures adopted before 1 December 2009 which have not been amended or replaced. This measure, Council Decision 2007/845/JHA concerning co-operation between asset recovery offices of member states in tracing and identifying the proceeds of crime, falls within the scope of that decision and will be reviewed accordingly.

Public Expenditure

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will publish a statement of her Department's expenditure in each of the last 36 months; and what steps she is taking to avoid an annual underspend.

Damian Green: The Home Office spent £10.7 billion in 2009-10 and 2010-11. Details for financial year 2011-12 are currently being audited and due to be published in July. The Home Office only publishes audited figures of its annual spend. The Home Office manages its budget tightly and in accordance with Treasury guidance on managing public money.

Publications

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) circulars and (b) consultation documents were issued by her Department in each of the last two years.

Damian Green: The number of circulars published on the Home Office website in each of the last two years is as follows:
	15 in 2011; and
	11 in 2012 to date.
	Home Office circulars can be found at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/corporate-publications-strategy/home-office-circulars/
	The UK Border Agency does not issue individual circulars but an update for partners can be found at:
	http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/workingwithus/ukba-news/
	The Identity and Passport Service issued 14 circulars in 2011 and seven in 2012 to the local registration service. The circulars deal with operational matters and are not publicly available.
	The Criminal Records Bureau does not issue circulars.
	The number of consultation documents published on the Home Office website in each of the last two years is as follows:
	14 in 2011; and
	13 in 2012 to date.
	Information on Home Office publications can be found at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/consultations/
	The number of consultation documents published on the UK Border Agency (UKBA) website in each of the last two years is as follows:
	four in 2011; and
	0 in 2012.
	Information about UKBA consultations can be found at:
	http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/consultations/
	The Criminal Records Bureau and Identity and Passport Service have not issued any consultations in the last two years.

Security: Football

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of EU Council Decision 2007/412/JHA in improving security at football matches.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 24 May 2012
	The UK must decide, no later than 31 May 2014, whether to accept full European Court of Justice jurisdiction over those EU police and criminal justice measures adopted before 1 December 2009 which have not been amended or replaced. This measure falls within the scope of that decision and will be reviewed accordingly.

Suicide: Internet

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will give the National Crime Agency responsibility for the monitoring of suicide recipe sites; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Herbert: The Government do not routinely monitor the internet and the National Crime Agency (NCA) will not be asked to do so. However, where there is evidence of serious, organised or complex online criminal activity the NCA will have the ability to lead or support an appropriate law enforcement response in collaboration with partners.
	The Government are committed to suicide prevention. In July 2011 the Government published a Consultation on preventing suicide in England: A cross-government outcomes strategy to save lives. As part of a range of measures to reduce the suicide rate, the draft strategy highlighted the need for continuing to support the internet industry to remove content that encourages suicide and provide ready access to suicide prevention services. The consultation period ended on 11 October 2011. Around 200 responses were received from a broad range of organisations and individuals. The Government are now considering all the responses received and intend to publish the final strategy later this year.

Telephone Services

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many call centres provide services for her Department and the bodies for which she is responsible; and how many such call centres are based abroad.

Damian Green: The number of external public call centres providing services on behalf of the Home Office, its executive agencies and its non-departmental public bodies to the public is 51.
	Of the 51 external public call centres, 38 are based abroad (and these all provide visa application services on behalf of the UK Border Agency for specific geographic locations).

Terrorism

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the 2007 Agreement between the US and the EU on the processing and transfer of Passenger Name Record data in combating the threat of terrorism.

Damian Green: The exchange of passenger name record data has been a useful tool in combating the threat of terrorism. The 2007 EU-US PNR Agreement has now been superseded by the new Agreement concluded on 26 April 2012.

Metal Theft

Anne-Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of metal theft in (a) Newton Abbot constituency and (b) the South West in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011.

James Brokenshire: Information on the cost of metal theft is not collated centrally. A new recording classification for metal theft offences reported to the police commenced on 1 April 2012 which will, for the first time, provide accurate information, on the number of offences and where they have been committed.

Metal Theft

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions her Department has had with the British Transport Police fusion intelligence unit regarding export of stolen metal.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has had a number of recent discussions with the British Transport Police about a range of issues involving metal theft as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Metal Theft

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will order a review into the export of stolen scrap metal.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has no plans to commission such a review at present.

Theft: Mobile Phones

Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of reported robberies and thefts have involved a mobile telephone handset in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: The requested data are not available from police recorded crime data collected centrally.
	However estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales are provided for the proportion of thefts involving mobile phones (in Table 1). It is not possible to provide figures for robberies due to the low numbers of this offence captured in the survey.
	
		
			 Table 1: Proportion of theft incidents in which mobile phones were stolen, 2006-07 to 2010-11 
			  Percentage of incidents in which a mobile phone is stolen: 
			  2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Theft from the person 34 33 34 28 29 
			 Other theft of personal property 18 22 22 20 17 
			 Theft in a dwelling 10 13 11 10 7 
		
	
	
		
			 Theft outside a dwelling 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Note: The unweighted base refers to the number of incidents of each specified offence captured by the survey. In 2010-11 the unweighted base for each offence type was as follows: ‘Theft from the person’, 308; ‘Other theft of personal property’, 704; ‘Theft in a dwelling’, 120; and ‘Theft outside a dwelling’, 1,361. Unweighted bases for previous years will be similar for each offence type. Source: Crime Survey for England and Wales

UK Border Agency

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration she has given to bringing back in house each of the contracts currently held between the UK Border Agency and private sector providers since May 2010.

Damian Green: Prior to contracting out a service, all options with regard to the delivery of that service receive due consideration, including whether an in-house solution is appropriate or not. Delivery of a service is contracted out to a private sector provider where it is able to deliver the service in a more efficient way, be that based on the service cost, technical capability or capacity.

UK Border Agency

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the annual outturn cost has been for each contract between the UK Border Agency and private sector providers in each of the last five years.

Damian Green: We are unable to specifically outline, contract by contract, the annual outturn cost for each of our contracts for the past five years as this information is not centrally held. To provide this information would require us to go through each individual contract, which would incur disproportionate cost.

UK Border Agency

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what cost savings have been achieved on each of the contracts held between the UK Border Agency and private sector providers; and if she will estimate the projected cost of bringing the work inhouse in each case.

Damian Green: We are unable to specifically outline, contract by contract, the cost savings achieved in each one our contracts for the past five years—or the projected cost of bringing this work inhouse—as this information is not centrally held. To provide this information would require us to go through each of our contracts, which would incur disproportionate cost.

DEFENCE

Cadet Forces

James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to increase the number of cadet forces.

Andrew Robathan: We are very keen to increase the number of cadet forces, and in our Positive for Youth Strategy the Government committed the MOD and Department for Education to look at options to increase the number of cadets in the MOD sponsored cadet forces. As part of this work the Schools Commissioner and I held a scoping event with key stakeholders on 25 April 2012 and we continue to develop our options. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 26,000 adult volunteers on whose dedication and excellent leadership the cadet forces rely.

Libya

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received on the cost to the public purse of military operations in Libya.

Gerald Howarth: We currently estimate the net additional cost of Operation ELLAMY at £199 million.

Scottish Independence: Defence Implications

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the defence industry of independence for Scotland.

Nick Harvey: Scotland has a strong, skilled defence industrial sector which will best be served by Scotland remaining part of the UK, which has the world’s fourth largest defence budget.
	EU procurement laws provide an exception to the usual procurement process where the essential interests of national security are at stake, allowing contracts to be placed with domestic defence contractors without a competitive process.
	Clearly, if Scotland was not part of the UK, its defence industries could not benefit from such procurement processes being used by the UK Government.

Army Regimental Structure

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had on the structure of regiments in the Army.

Nick Harvey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the right hon. Member for Delyn (Mr Hanson).

Scottish Independence: Royal Navy Construction Projects

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the potential effect of independence for Scotland on Royal Navy construction projects.

Peter Luff: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Inverclyde (Mr McKenzie).

Adam Werritty

Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will investigate whether Mr Adam Werritty was present at any meetings between (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department and representatives from Lockheed Martin to discuss the carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter.

Philip Hammond: We have no records of any departmental meetings about the carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter involving Mr Werritty, Ministers and Lockheed Martin.
	Equally, I am not aware that Mr Werrity ever attended any meeting on the carrier variant between officials and Lockheed Martin, although it is not possible to provide a definitive response to the question regarding officials within the Ministry of Defence without incurring disproportionate cost.

Aircraft Carriers

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what external assistance and technical consultancy his Department commissioned for the work to assess the costs, risks and technical feasibility of fitting cats and traps in the carrier programme; and how much it spent on each piece of work commissioned.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence commissioned RAND Europe to provide an independent technical assessment of the in-build and refit conversion strategies that were under development during the Queen Elizabeth Class Conversion Development Phase. The cost of this work was £195,000 and is part of the £39 million committed to the Conversion Development programme that was announced at the time of the oral statement.

Aircraft Carriers

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff of his Department were employed on a (a) part-time and (b) full-time basis on work to assess the costs, risks and technical feasibility of fitting cats and traps in the carrier programme; and what estimate he has made of the cost of this work under each category of expenditure.

Peter Luff: Within the Ministry of Defence, the conversion of the Queen Elizabeth (QE) Class aircraft carriers is not considered to be a stand-alone project, but rather an extension of the core QE build project. The Ship Acquisition team which has responsibility for delivering the QE Class, currently has 64 personnel assigned to the carriers: of these 61 were providing support to both the core build and conversion investigations, and the remaining three personnel were supporting the conversion investigations on a full-time basis.
	To the end of April 2012, we had committed up to £39 million on conversion appraisal investigations and £1 million on an Air-to-Air Refuelling Study.

Aircraft Carriers

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations Ministers in his Department have received on the technical difficulties of converting a Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier to a CATOBAR configuration; from whom and when.

Peter Luff: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 April 2012, Official Report, columns 1123-24W.
	Discussions on converting an aircraft carrier to a CATOBAR configuration were held on an ongoing basis with the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, the US Department of Defense and US industry.

Aircraft Carriers

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people worked on the Concept Development Phase looking at the installation of catapult and arrestor gear in (a) the UK and (b) the US.

Peter Luff: Within the Ministry of Defence, the conversion of the Queen Elizabeth (QE) Class aircraft carriers is not considered to be a stand-alone project, but rather an extension of the core QE build project. The Ship Acquisition team, which has responsibility for delivering the QE Class, currently has 64 personnel assigned to the carriers: of these 61 were providing support to both the core build and conversion investigations, and the remaining three personnel were supporting the conversion investigations on a full-time basis.
	To the end of April 2012, we had committed up to £39 million on conversion appraisal investigations and £1 million on an Air-to-Air Refuelling Study.

Armed Forces Covenant

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department plans to publish the next military covenant report.

Andrew Robathan: An interim report was published in December 2011.
	The first statutory report on the armed forces covenant will be published towards the end of 2012.

Armed Forces: Personnel

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) established strength, (b) current manning and (c) number of personnel from the Commonwealth is in the (i) Royal Armoured Corps, (ii) Infantry, (iii) Army Air Corps, (iv) Royal Artillery, (v) Royal Engineers, (vi) Royal Signals, (vii) Royal Logistic Corps, (viii) Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, (ix) Royal Army Medical Corps, (x) Adjutant General Corps, (xi) Intelligence Corps and (xi) Brigade of Gurkhas.

Nick Harvey: The establishment and strength information for the relevant Corps, as at 1 April 2012, is provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Establishment Strength Strength of Commonwealth and other non-UK personnel 
			 Royal Armoured Corps/Household Cavalry 5,424 5,520 290 
			 Infantry 25,009 24,080 2,240 
			 Army Air Corps 2,032 2,015 85 
			 Royal Artillery 7,219 7,355 720 
		
	
	
		
			 Royal Engineers 9,104 9,450 500 
			 Royal Signals 7,619 7,545 165 
			 Royal Logistic Corps 13,737 14,080 1,840 
			 Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 8,981 9,700 420 
			 Royal Army Medical Corps 3,541 2,990 195 
			 Adjutant General Corps 6,106 6,025 460 
			 Intelligence Corps 1,920 1,650 10 
			 Brigade of Gurkhas 2,848 3,650 3,650 
		
	
	The term “Commonwealth and other non-UK strength” comprises individuals from Commonwealth countries, the Republic of Ireland and Nepal.

Armed Forces: Pensions

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the (a) war and (b) disability pension of a soldier is stopped if that soldier is sentenced to imprisonment following conviction of a criminal offence.

Andrew Robathan: War disablement pensions paid under the War Pensions Scheme are normally withheld if an individual's term of imprisonment is more than 12 months. However, they are restored upon release and 12 months of basic pension arrears paid.
	If, as a result of the suspension of pension payments, hardship can be proved, up to half of the pension can be paid to dependants.

Armed Forces: Redundancy

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether he proposes that any personnel who have served or are serving in Afghanistan will be made redundant as a result of his planned Army restructuring;
	(2)  whether he is taking steps to support those who have served or are serving in Afghanistan during his Army restructuring;
	(3)  if he will make it his policy that personnel who are serving or who have served in Afghanistan will be protected from redundancy resulting from his Army restructuring.

Andrew Robathan: Policy for Army redundancy states that those personnel who are deployed on combat operations that qualify for the operational allowance; are within six months of an operational allowance earning deployment; or are on their post operational leave at the time of notification of selection, may only be made redundant if they apply. We will continue to keep this policy under review with regard to any future redundancies.
	All Army personnel will be supported through the Army restructuring process, whether they are serving or have served in Afghanistan or not. An extensive communications plan that will inform personnel of the outcomes of the restructuring process will be implemented at the appropriate time.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to take a decision on the future procurement of a further tranche of the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle Foxhound.

Peter Luff: Future tranches of the Foxhound Light Protected Patrol Vehicle will be subject to confirmation of our wider requirement. An announcement regarding the second tranche of Foxhound will be made shortly.

AWE

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how much was spent by the Atomic Weapons Establishment on research by UK universities in each of the last three years;
	(2)  whether research undertaken on behalf of the Atomic Weapons Establishment in UK universities is funded through his Department's Management and Operation contract.

Peter Luff: The majority of the research and development work undertaken on behalf of the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at UK universities is funded via the Ministry of Defence (MOD)'s Management and Operations contract with AWE. In addition to this funding there is a short term agreement, jointly funded by the MOD, the Home Office and the Cabinet Office, for enhanced detection and nuclear forensics work of which a proportion of the agreement funds work undertaken in UK universities.
	AWE has spent between £8 million and £9 million on payments to UK universities for research and development work undertaken on their behalf in each of the past three financial years. In addition, following an agreement reached earlier this year, approximately £1 million over a four year period will be paid to UK universities for work undertaken in respect of detection and nuclear forensics.

AWE

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the asset valuation of Atomic Weapons Establishment (a) Aldermaston and (b) Burghfield is.

Peter Luff: The total net book value of assets at the Atomic Weapons Establishment sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield, as at 31 March 2012, was £2.172 billion. Of this amount, it is assessed that £1.707 billion relates to assets at Aldermaston, and £465 million at Burghfield. This includes an apportionment of assets under construction that are valued at £1 million or below, which have not yet finally been attributed to either site.

AWE

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) the Atomic Weapons Establishment and (b) his Department have conducted a Review, Learn, and Improve analysis of the decision to cancel Project Hydrus at the Atomic Weapons Establishment.

Peter Luff: The Nuclear Weapons Capability Sustainment Programme (NWCSP) which included Project Hydrus is kept under regular review. For example, there was an internal Ministry of Defence (MOD) review held in 2010 which informed the Strategic Defence and Security Review, a HM Treasury Major Project Review in 2011 and a further Major Project Review currently under way with an HM Treasury Panel meeting planned for 13 June 2012. Since the decision to cancel Project Hydrus, neither the Atomic Weapons Establishment nor the MOD have conducted a specific Review, Learn, and Improve analysis of the decision to cancel Project Hydrus at the Atomic Weapons Establishment.

AWE

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many French representatives are permanently stationed (a) at the Atomic Weapons Establishment and (b) in his Department's Strategic Systems Executive.

Peter Luff: There is one French representative currently stationed at the Atomic Weapons Establishment who is engaged on a joint UK and French hydrodynamics programme; and there are no French representatives currently stationed in the Chief Strategic Systems Executive.

AWE

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Project Pegasus at the Atomic Weapons Establishment is (a) scheduled to receive Main Gate approval and (b) scheduled to enter into commission.

Peter Luff: Project Pegasus received Main Gate approval on 14 September 2011. On current plans, commissioning is scheduled for January 2018, and the facility is scheduled to be operational in December 2019.

AWE

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) and the US Y-12 National Security complex on co-operation and exchange of information on AWE's enriched uranium facility and Y-12's uranium processing facility.

Peter Luff: Information on nuclear weapons and propulsion matters is exchanged under the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement Treaty (MDA) between the UK and the USA.
	There is no specific Memorandum of Agreement between the Atomic Weapons Establishment and the US Y-12 National Security Complex on co-operation and exchange of information on uranium facilities.

AWE

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on which dates representatives of the Government have met representatives of the US Administration to discuss co-operation on the enriched uranium facility at the Atomic Weapons Establishment and the uranium processing facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex; and if he will place a copy of the minutes of such meetings in the Library.

Peter Luff: There have been no meetings between Government representatives from the UK and the US on this matter.
	However there are regular routine lower level discussions between staff of Atomic Weapons Establishment and their US counterparts.

AWE

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representatives of the US Administration are permanently stationed at (a) the Atomic Weapons Establishment and (b) his Department's Strategic Systems Executive.

Peter Luff: There are no representatives from the US Administration permanently stationed at the Atomic Weapons Establishment.
	The Polaris Sales Agreement 1963, as modified in 1982, mandates that both the UK and US have liaison representatives in support of their nuclear weapons programmes in each other's nations. In the UK Ministry of Defence, the Chief Strategic Systems Executive area has one US Navy Commander as the US liaison officer, who is assisted by four civilians from the US Department of the Navy.

Chiefs of Staff

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the next (a) First Sea Lord and (b) Chief of the Air Staff to assume their roles.

Andrew Robathan: Appointments to the posts of Chiefs of Staff will be published in due course in the normal way.

Chinook Helicopters

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his statement of 14 May 2012, Official Report, columns 261-65, on what the projected manufacture costs of the 14 new Chinooks announced in the Ministry of Defence budget is.

Peter Luff: The approved level of funding for the 14 Chinook Mk 6 aircraft (excluding support costs) is £841 million inclusive of VAT. This includes the contract with Boeing for the development and manufacture of the aircraft and other contracts, for example, to support test and evaluation activities and the safe introduction to service of the aircraft. The total value of the procurement, including the first five years of support costs, is approximately £1 billion.

Complaints

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints about the work of his Department and each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies were received in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Cyprus: Military Bases

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the annual cost is of the British military bases in Cyprus by type of expenditure.

Philip Hammond: The annual cost of the British military bases in Cyprus, based on expenditure in 2011-12 is set out in the following table. Each category is rounded to the nearest £5 million.
	
		
			 Category Expenditure (£ million) 
			 Personnel 130 
			 Inventory/other consumption 10 
			 Other cash RDEL costs 10 
			 Facilities Management 30 
			 Minor New Works 35 
			 Total 215

Cyprus: Military Bases

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department has spent on housing for service personnel in Cyprus since May 2010.

Andrew Robathan: The total amount spent on service family accommodation in Cyprus since May 2010 to date is some £67 million, including new build projects and facilities management.

Cyprus: Military Bases

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to the public purse was of the review of British military bases in Cyprus conducted by Lord Ashcroft of Chichester.

Philip Hammond: There were no additional costs to the Ministry of Defence other than minimal travel and subsistence costs. Lord Ashcroft of Chichester, as independent adviser to the study, received no remuneration from the public purse.

Cyprus: Military Bases

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whom Lord Ashcroft of Chichester consulted as part of his review of British military bases in Cyprus.

Philip Hammond: Lord Ashcroft of Chichester and the Cyprus review team consulted widely with a number of organisations, international bodies and partners as well as within the Ministry of Defence and other Government Departments.

Cyprus: Military Bases

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are currently stationed in British military bases in Cyprus; and how many are planned to be stationed there in May (a) 2013, (b) 2014 and (c) 2015.

Philip Hammond: There are around 2,700 service personnel based in British Forces Cyprus. This figure is subject to variation as personnel change location, units rotate or personnel are deployed on operations.
	There are currently no plans to significantly vary the number of service personnel based in Cyprus.

Debts Written Off

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much bad debt was written off by his Department in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Philip Hammond: Information on bad debts written off is published in the Ministry of Defence annual report (see Note 11 for 2010-11).
	The figure for 2011-12 will be included in the 2011-12 annual report, which is due for publication before the summer recess.

Defence: Fuels

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department expects to make a decision on the future management of the fuel storage and distribution facility at Yonderberry managed by Defence Fuels Group.

Peter Luff: The facility at Yonderberry is part of the naval oil fuel depot (OFD) at Thanckes. Responsibility for management and operation of OFD Thanckes transferred from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Defence Fuels Group to the Oil and Pipelines Agency in summer 2011 although the site remains in MOD ownership. The Oil and Pipelines Agency is a public corporation sponsored by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. Provisions for the possible sale of the agency are contained within the recently published draft energy Bill.

Defence: Procurement

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the oral statement of 14 May 2012, Official Report, column 262, on defence budget and transformation, over what period the equipment and support budget is balanced.

Philip Hammond: The budget is balanced over the 10-year planning cycle. This runs from financial year 2012-13 to financial year 2021-22.

Defence: Procurement

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his oral statement of 14 May 2012, Official Report, column 262, on defence budget and transformation, what the remaining 55% of his Department's total budget is worth over the corresponding period.

Philip Hammond: Based on an agreed planning assumption, 55% of the defence budget in financial year 2021-22 will be around £22.5 billion. However, the actual budget will be set during future spending reviews.

Defence: Procurement

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the oral statement of 14 May 2012, Official Report, column 263, on Defence budget and transformation, which armoured fighting vehicles are included in his plans.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) plans to spend some £5.5 billion on the Army's core armoured vehicle programme over the next 10 years. Within this programme, we have already approved the demonstration and manufacture of the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme and the Demonstration Phase of the Scout Specialist Vehicle. The armoured vehicle programme also resources the further stages of Scout Specialist Vehicle manufacture, and in due course a Utility Vehicle and improvements to Challenger 2.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence made clear in his statement to the House on 14 May 2012, Official Report, columns 261-64, that, in order to avoid a repeat of the mistakes of the past, the MOD will not commit funding to programmes before it is necessary to do so.

Defence: Procurement

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what revisions his Department has made to the funding profile of the Solomon programme following Defence Intelligence provision of a Single Intelligence requirements definition paper which aligned the provision of capability to desired military requirements in 2015 and 2020.

Peter Luff: Over the last two planning rounds, the Solomon funding profile has been refined to closely match the Ministry of Defence’s Capability Management plan to provide enabling intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities to the Defence Intelligence community.

Defence: Procurement

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2012, Official Report, column 721W, on defence: procurement, what assumption was made in Planning Round 2012 of the annual increase after 2015 in his Department's spending other than on equipment and equipment support.

Philip Hammond: In Planning Round 12 we assumed that spending other than on equipment and equipment support would remain flat in real terms from 2014-15 to the end of the 10 year PR period.

Defence: Procurement

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2012, Official Report, column 721W, on defence: procurement, whether additional funding will be provided by HM Treasury to cover the cost of the assumed 1 per cent annual increase to the equipment and equipment support budget from 2015.

Peter Luff: Yes.

Falkland Islands: Rescue Services

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that there is military support helicopter provision available in the Falkland Islands once the search and rescue privatisation has been completed; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: The Ministry of Defence is currently examining the provision of support helicopter capability in the Falkland Islands from 2016 onwards. This work is at an early stage and no decisions have been taken.

Future Large Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on delivery of the propeller gear box problems affecting A400M aircraft.

Peter Luff: The A400M development fleet continues to undergo rigorous testing, including that of the engine and gearbox, as part of the ongoing flight test programme leading to civil and military certification. During a planned flight from South East Asia back to Europe, there was a gearbox incident which resulted in the automated shutdown of the engine. The aircraft landed safely in Oman where a replacement engine was delivered and fitted, after which the aircraft continued its journey back to its base in France. Detailed investigation work into the cause of the problem is under way, the outcome of which will be reported to A400M nations. The current assessment by Airbus Military (the prime contractor) is that this incident will not have any impact on either aircraft production activities or the delivery schedule.

Germany: Armed Forces

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he has made in re-basing those elements of the armed forces currently based in Germany.

Nick Harvey: The process of rebasing the armed forces currently stationed in Germany began with the BORONA programme, which will rationalise the Germany estate with the closure of Rhine Garrison and Minister Station, and the consequent relocation of units both within Germany and the UK. The BORONA programme is on track to deliver the moves by summer 2015 as planned.
	The Army announced in November 2011 a number of initial moves including moves following units, currently based in Germany, back to the UK:
	7 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps from Bielefeld to Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore in summer 2013
	43 Close Support Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps from Gutersloh to Abingdon in January 2012.
	The timing of further moves is dependent on the announcement of the Army's work on restructuring and the subsequent basing discussions.

Gibraltar: Spain

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what steps the Royal Navy has taken in response to incursions into the waters around Gibraltar between 14 and 20 May 2012;
	(2)  what his policy is on intervention by the Royal Navy in the event of an incursion into the waters around Gibraltar by the Guardia Civil;
	(3)  what standing orders are given to Royal Navy vessels charged with protecting and patrolling the waters around Gibraltar.

Nick Harvey: holding answer 24 May 2012
	A part of the Royal Navy’s role in Gibraltar is to deter and challenge all marine incursions which threaten the integrity of British Gibraltar territorial waters. In line with standing orders, appropriate warnings have been issued in response to each recent incursion by Spanish state vessels. In addition, protests are being made through diplomatic channels.

Gibraltar: Spain

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the recent activity of the Royal Navy has been in response to the actions of the Spanish Guardia Civil in British Territorial Waters off Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: The Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron will continue to deter and challenge all marine incursions which threaten the integrity of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. In line with standing orders, appropriate warnings have been issued in response to each recent incursion.
	The Ministry of Defence remains absolutely committed to ensuring the defence and security of Gibraltar, its residents and British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.

Gibraltar: Spain

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times vessels from the Spanish Guardia Civil have entered British Territorial Waters or any Gibraltarian port in the last seven days.

Nick Harvey: Between 21 May and 28 May 2012, Guardia Civil vessels entered British Gibraltar Territorial Waters 38 times. Of these 29 were "innocent passages" as defined in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The remaining nine were subject to appropriate warnings by the Royal Navy and protests through diplomatic channels.

Harrier Aircraft

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many redundancies were made in the (a) Royal Navy, (b) RAF and (c) MOD civilian workforce following the Government's decision to sell the Harrier fleet.

Nick Harvey: 12 former Royal Navy Harrier pilots have been made redundant following retirement of the Harrier fleet. It is not possible to attribute other Royal Navy, RAF or Ministry of Defence civilian staff departures solely to the decision to sell the Harrier fleet as other issues, including the Government's decision to reduce service and MOD civilian manpower, were taken into account in calculating the numbers for redundancy and Voluntary Early Release.

HMS Plymouth

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department holds on the present structural condition of HMS Plymouth.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence holds no current information about the structural condition of the former HMS Plymouth, a Rothesay Class 12 Frigate, which left service with the Royal Navy in 1988 and was subsequently sold.

Horn of Africa

Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support his Department plans to provide to Somaliland and countries in the Horn of Africa in the remainder of this Parliament.

Gerald Howarth: The Ministry of Defence plans to continue its close engagement with the Somaliland Army and Coastguard, building capacity in Somaliland's institutions as a priority. The UK will continue to play a major role in the growing international efforts to bring peace and stability to all areas of Somalia and the Horn of Africa region.

Israel

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure products from illegal Israeli settlements are not purchased by (a) his Department and (b) the armed forces, whether directly or through third parties.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) follows UK and EU guidelines when purchasing goods and services from suppliers: these guidelines do not currently differentiate between products emanating from Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role the National Security Council played in the decision to procure the short takeoff and vertical landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter.

Peter Luff: The National Security Council took the decision to revert to the short take off vertical landing variant having taken into account the recommendation of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many units of the F35B his Department plans to procure; and over what period.

Peter Luff: The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme is currently within the Development Test phase. The Ministry of Defence is following an incremental acquisition policy for JSF. The overall numbers of F35B aircraft will not be determined before the next Strategic Defence and Security Review at the earliest.

Littoral Warfare

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost was of the Goalkeeper weapon system purchased for Albion Class amphibious assault vessels.

Peter Luff: The Goalkeeper close-in weapons system entered service with the Royal Navy in 1989. The total purchase price of the Goalkeeper weapon system that is now carried on the Albion class of vessels was around £33 million. This figure is based on the 1989 purchase cost (at historic outturn prices) and includes the purchase cost of the Goalkeeper systems and the Gun Magazine Loading systems that operate alongside it. The historical costs for on-board spares and ship fitting are not held.

Departmental Meetings

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates (a) he, (b) Ministers and (c) senior officials in his Department have met representatives of (i) the Institute for Public Policy Research, (ii) the Taxpayers' Alliance, (iii) the Institute of Economic Affairs, (iv) ResPublica, (v) the Centre for Social Justice and (vi) Policy Exchange; and if he will publish the minutes and agendas of these meetings.

Philip Hammond: Details of Ministers' and the most senior officials' meetings with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis and can be accessed on the MOD website at:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/FinancialReports/Expenses/
	I have attended a dinner organised by Policy Exchange for the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dempsey. We are not aware of any other meetings held by Ministers with any of the six named organisations.

Members: Correspondence

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 30 April 2012, Official Report, column 716W, on the Armed Forces, when he plans to write to the hon. Member for Houghton and Sunderland South.

Andrew Robathan: I have arranged for the requested information to be placed in the Library of the House today.

Military Aircraft

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Joint Precision Aerial Delivery System to be in operation.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence is planning for the Joint Precision Aerial Delivery System to enter service in Afghanistan in August 2012. Delays to the procurement of this capability were partly due to complications in receiving the release of critical software from overseas.

Military Aircraft: Training

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel his Department plans to train to operate STOVL aircraft.

Peter Luff: holding answer 22 May 2012
	Planning for the training of service personnel to operate the Short Take Off Vertical Landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft is under way but final numbers will depend on the total number of JSF aircraft to be acquired and this will not be confirmed until the completion of the next Strategic Defence Review in 2015 at the earliest. There will be a sufficient number of trained pilots to operate the aircraft when they enter service.

Military Bases

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has budgeted for conversion of RAF bases to accommodate troops returning from Germany and Cyprus (a) up to 2015 and (b) between 2015 and 2020.

Andrew Robathan: Determining the cost of accommodating troops returning from Germany and Cyprus is part of ongoing work on the future structure of the Army, but significant savings are expected to be made.

Mutual Societies

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of full-time equivalent staff who will transfer from his Department, its non-departmental public bodies and executive agencies workforce to a mutual in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: No mutuals have been created by the Ministry of Defence or the non-departmental public bodies it sponsors and no proposals are being taken forward. As a result, there were no staff transfers in 2011-12 and we do not expect there to be any this year.

NATO

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what NATO standardisation agreements the UK is party to.

Nick Harvey: The UK has ratified and is fully implementing 744 Standardisation Agreements (STANAGS) within the current NATO portfolio and has ratified and is implementing with reservations a further 198.

NATO

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how the UK will achieve the NATO Smart Defence initiative for organising theatre entry points for allies.

Nick Harvey: This UK-led initiative will lead to the establishment of a NATO team that is able to deploy rapidly to establish and co-ordinate a port of disembarkation (sea, land or air) for Allied operations. A statement of requirement has been agreed for the aerial port element of the programme, which will act as the initial proof of principle for multinational co-operation in this area before the work is broadened out to meet the full requirement.

NATO

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which NATO (a) education and (b) training institutes are located in the UK.

Gerald Howarth: There are no NATO education or training institutes located in the UK.

NATO: Armed Forces

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how he plans to work with his NATO counterparts to achieve the goals of the Connected Forces Initiative.

Nick Harvey: NATO Defence Ministers meet regularly to review progress across a number of areas within the Alliance. The next formal meeting of all the Defence Ministers is in October 2012 and will include reports on how issues, such as the Connected Forces Initiative, are being implemented by the Allies.

NATO: Unmanned Air Vehicles

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what consideration he has given to becoming a full member of the NATO Allied Ground Surveillance System;
	(2)  if he will estimate the value of UK industrial participation in the NATO Allied Ground Surveillance System;
	(3)  how much has been spent on the NATO Allied Ground Surveillance System project to date.

Nick Harvey: Our requirements for airborne surveillance are met mainly by the SENTINEL system which has been in service since 2009 and provides a capability comparable to the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) system. SENTINEL has been accepted by NATO as a contribution in kind to its wider surveillance requirements.
	We have not, therefore, elected to join the 14-nation consortium that is acquiring AGS, and have no visibility of the expenditure incurred.
	In accordance with NATO convention, only nations that contribute directly to the financing of a capability are entitled to share in the industrial benefits.

Navy: International Co-operation

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with which other navies Royal Navy vessels can operate a network-enabled data exchange.

Peter Luff: The Royal Navy can operate with a range of network-enabled data exchange systems with other international navies ranging from internet-based systems to bespoke military-protected networks with closer coalition allies. The systems used for such communications will vary according to the navy in question and the nature of the information exchanged.

Nimrod Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of dismantling the Nimrod MRA4 fleet by Metal and Waste Recycling Limited.

Peter Luff: The Nimrod MRA4 airframes were dismantled on the Ministry of Defence (MOD)'s behalf by Metal and Waste Recycling Ltd at a cost of around £500,000. As part of the contractual arrangements with the company, the MOD received receipts from the sale of the dismantled airframes to the value of just over £1 million. We expect to save around £2 billion by not bringing Nimrod MRA4 into service.

Nuclear Weapons

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the terms of reference were for the review of the Nuclear Weapons Capability Sustainment Programme in 2010; what changes were made to the programme as a result of the review; and what savings in costs have been made as a result of the review.

Peter Luff: The terms of reference were to re-validate the programme, policy assumptions and cost of the Nuclear Warhead Capability Sustainment Programme and to review programme risk against Continuous At Sea Deterrence. This study was completed in preparation for the Trident Value for Money Review, the conclusions of which were reported in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010.

Nuclear Weapons

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the safety case for the road transport of nuclear weapons was last amended and approved.

Peter Luff: The Transport Operational Safety Case for the Truck Cargo Heavy Duty Mark 3 (TCHD Mk3) vehicle for the road transportation of Defence Nuclear Material was approved on 21 July 2011; the vehicle entered into service shortly afterwards. This was the first Transport Operational Safety Case written for the TCHD Mk3 vehicle and has not required an amendment since its approval.

Departmental Administration Costs

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on the administration of his Department in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12.

Philip Hammond: This information can be found in the Ministry of Defence’s annual report and accounts for 2009-10 and 2010-11.
	The annual report and accounts for financial year 2011-12 will be published this summer.

Ordnance Board: Disclosure of Information

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 16 October 2001, Official Report, column 1141W, on the Ordnance Project Board, if he will place in the Library a copy of the Ordnance Board Report Board Project G/220A dated 23 February 1982; for what reasons no letter was placed in the Library by his Department on the review conducted to determine whether some or all of the information could be released into the public domain; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Luff: The information will take time to locate and review. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.
	Substantive answer from Peter Luff to Caroline Lucas:
	I undertook to write to the hon. Member in response to her parliamentary question answered on 21 May 2012, Official Report, column 440W about the disclosure of Ordnance Board Report Board Project G/220A dated 23 February 1982.
	The document has been retrieved and, because the document is classified, a review board has been conducted to consider whether the Ordnance Board Report Board Project G/220A dated 23 February 1982 can be released into the public domain. The review board concluded that the report can now be released for the following reasons:
	The system referred to in the report is due to be taken out of service by January 2013 at which point the report would have become unclassified.
	The system is not used within the UK, but is held as a standby system in other areas of the world. It is expected to be superseded by a new weapon and ammunition in the near future and is therefore unlikely to be used.
	Records indicate that, in 2001, a review was conducted to determine whether some or all of the information requested by Kevin McNamara MP could be released. The results of the review concluded that disclosure of this information would harm the conduct of international relations or affairs. Accordingly, the document was withheld under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to defence, security and international relations but records do not indicate whether a copy of the outcome of the review was placed in the Library at the time.
	A copy of the report has now been placed in the Library of the House.

Patrol Craft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost was for the Scanter 4100 air search radar purchased for the River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has not purchased Scanter 4100 radars for its River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels. HMS Clyde, the only River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel to be fitted with the Scanter 4100 air search radar, is owned by BAE Systems and is chartered by the MOD. BAE Systems supply the capability against the Department's requirement, an element of which is the provision of an air surveillance radar capability.

Private Finance Initiative

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the annual private finance initiative payment was to (a) SD Marine Services Ltd and (b) Smit Ltd in each of the last three years.

Peter Luff: The private finance initiative contract with SD Marine Services Ltd is for the provision of marine services under which the company provides in-port and out of port services to the Royal Navy and other Ministry of Defence customers.
	Smit International (Scotland) Ltd has been contracted to provide Range Services and Aircrew Training through a separate PFI contract. Payments against the private finance initiative contracts in the last three calendar years are shown in the following table:
	
		
			 £ million (excluding VAT) 
			 Company 2009 2010 2011 
			 SD Marine Services Ltd 65.5 66.5 65.3 
			 Smit International Ltd 6.1 6.4 6.7

Public Expenditure

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a statement of his Department's expenditure in each of the last 36 months; and what steps his Department is taking to avoid an annual underspend.

Philip Hammond: Monthly expenditure is published by the Treasury. It is available at the following website address:
	http://data.gov.uk/dataset/coins
	The Ministry of Defence actively manages in-year expenditure to avoid significant underspending. However, tight financial management means avoiding overspending in year and a modest underspend may be unavoidable as it is not possible with a budget the size of MOD's to hit the budget target exactly.

Public Expenditure

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether that part of his Department's budget that is outside the equipment and support budget will be subject to a rise of one per cent above inflation in each year from 2015 onwards.

Philip Hammond: Only the Ministry of Defence's equipment and support budget is subject to the planning assumption, agreed with Her Majesty's Treasury, of a 1% per annum real terms increase between 2015 and 2020.

Public Expenditure

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the likely growth rate of his Department's budget outside his Department's equipment budget from 2015 onwards.

Philip Hammond: holding answer 24 May 2012
	Our current planning assumption is that non-equipment spending will remain unchanged, in real terms, from 2015. The budget beyond 2015 will be set during the next spending review.
	This assumption together with the assumption agreed with HMT that equipment spending will increase in real terms by 1% per annum between 2015 and 2020, reflect the requirement set out at the time of the strategic defence and security review (SDSR) that defence spending would need to rise in real terms after the current spending review period to deliver the SDSR and Future Force 2020.

Public Expenditure

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that his Department's budget outside the Committed Core Equipment programme will be protected from real terms reduction in the period up to 2015.

Philip Hammond: To deal with the fiscal situation that the Government inherited the 2010 spending review announced an 8% real-terms reduction in the defence budget by 2014-15. This has meant that difficult decisions have had to be taken to reduce spending over the period to 2015. The Ministry of Defence budget is now balanced, taking account of the SR10 settlement and the decisions taken since SR10 announcement.

Public Sector Mutuals

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new public sector mutuals were created or spun-off by his Department in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Philip Hammond: No mutuals have so far been created or spun off from MOD.

RAF Leuchars

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether Air Traffic Control radar services at RAF Leuchars will cease in the event that there is a drawdown of the Typhoon force at the station;
	(2)  when he plans to make an announcement on the future use of RAF Leuchars by his Department.

Nick Harvey: No decisions have yet been made on whether an Air Traffic Control radar service will be retained at Leuchars. Work is continuing on the Department's footprint strategy and further announcements will be made when that work is complete.

RAF Leuchars

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate his Department has made of the cost of the Typhoon simulator at RAF Leuchars.

Nick Harvey: Two Typhoon Emulated Deployable Cockpit Trainers were originally procured in 2005, and later installed at RAF Leuchars, at a combined cost of approximately £4 million. Planning is now under way for the move of existing Typhoon elements from RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth.

Rescue Services

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 30 April 2012, Official Report, column 1129W, on rescue services, how many (a) training and (b) flying hours per month have been undertaken by individual members of search and rescue crews in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All flying activity, including operational flying, contains a training element.

RM Condor

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what investigations his Department has undertaken to assess radium contamination at RM Condor;
	(2)  what permanent monitoring and reporting mechanisms are in place to assess levels of measurable radium contamination at and in the vicinity of RM Condor;
	(3)  how many personnel are engaged in the monitoring of radium contamination at RM Condor.
	(4)  whether he has received any reports of measurable radium contamination within the curtilage of RM Condor;
	(5)  what investigations his Department has undertaken to assess whether there has been occurrence of measurable radium contamination in areas beyond the curtilage of RM Condor.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 24 May 2012
	As specified in the Contaminated Land Regime, the identification of radioactive contaminated land falls to the regulatory authorities and not the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
	Where former MOD sites are identified as contaminated, the MOD remains committed to voluntarily assisting the relevant authorities, without prejudice, in fulfilling their statutory duties, for which they are funded.
	The MOD undertook a Phase 1 Land Quality Assessment (LQA) for RM Condor in 2008, and a Phase 2 LQA in 2011. The LQAs identified localised radium contamination within the boundary of RM Condor, of which the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are aware.
	Suitable and sufficient management measures remain in place to ensure the contamination in question does not pose a significant potential of harm to site staff. Plans are being progressed with SEPA to facilitate its removal. No requirement for permanent monitoring has been identified.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reviews of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have been conducted by his Department since 1982; and what the cost was of conducting each review. [R]

Nick Harvey: Since 1982 there have been five reviews focusing on different elements of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) such as manning, pay and capability. The majority of the costs associated with these reviews have formed part of normal business and were not captured separately.
	The most recent Value for Money Review considered the full range of RFA activity, for which a commercial company supported one element of the review. I am withholding the information as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.

SD Marine Services

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many SD Marine Services Ltd vessels of each type are based in each location in Scotland.

Peter Luff: The type of vessels operated by SD Marine Services Ltd in support of the Ministry of Defence, and from which location, are shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Location Type Quantity 
			 Her Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde Sewage/Sullage Barge 2 
			 HMNB Clyde Water Barge 1 
			 HMNB Clyde Water Lighter 2 
			 HMNB Clyde Pilot Tender 2 
			 HMNB Clyde Class IX Tugs 8 
			 HMNB Clyde Damen Crew Transfer Vessel 1 
			 HMNB Clyde Fleet Tender—O Class—Passenger Ship 2 
			 HMNB Clyde Moorings 1 
			 HMNB Clyde Torpedo Recovery, Mine-laying and Diving Support Vessel 1 
			 HMNB Clyde Worldwide Support Ship 1 
			 Kyle of Lochalsh Tug—Class IX Tug 1 
			 Kyle of Lochalsh Trials Support Vessel 1 
			 Kyle of Lochalsh Diving Support Vessel—Class IX 2 
			 Kyle of Lochalsh Multi Cat Barge 1 
			 Kyle of Lochalsh Trials Support Vessel 1

Sea King Helicopters

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has decided on a replacement for the Sea King helicopters.

Peter Luff: The Sea King helicopter delivers a range of capabilities and when all variants are withdrawn from service in 2016 the Department will look to a combination of existing platforms and alternative means to replace it.
	The Department of Transport is currently running a competition for a UK-wide service contract to provide Search and Rescue services when the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) fleet of Sea King Mk 3, 3a and 5 Search and Rescue helicopters retire. The MOD is also examining alternative means of replacing the Sea King search and rescue capability in the Falkland Islands.
	The Merlin Mk3/3a will replace the Sea King Mk4 role with the Commando Helicopter Force. The newly upgraded Merlin Mk 2 will be capable of fulfilling several roles, including provision of the Airborne Surveillance and Control capability previously provided by the Sea King Mk7.

Sea Wolf Missiles

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's current inventory of operational Sea Wolf missiles is; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence does not comment on the specific number of its weapon systems as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. There are sufficient Sea Wolf Missiles to fulfil the Department's operational and training commitments until the missile system's out-of-service date.

Merchant Shipping

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reviews of his Department's merchant shipping needs have been conducted since 1982; and how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the Department for Transport and predecessor departments worked on each review. [R]

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence reviewed the needs for merchant shipping as part of the strategic defence review in 1998 and as part of the strategic defence and security review in 2010. The subject was also examined by the House of Commons Defence Committee in July 2007. These studies examined a wide range of issues, not just merchant shipping needs, and it is not practical to determine the number of officials who worked on each one.

Merchant Shipping

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department last reviewed the UK's strategic requirements for merchant vessels; what conclusions were reached; and if he will place a copy of any such conclusions in the Library.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence last reviewed its requirements for strategic sealift in autumn 2011. This concluded that four roll-on roll-off vessels provide the optimum requirement.

Merchant Shipping

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment his Department has made of the availability of British merchant seafarers to operate merchant vessels requisitioned to respond to a (a) national emergency, (b) international incident and (c) military attack; and whether he holds regular discussions on such matters with the Secretary of State for Transport.

Peter Luff: We designate certain categories of British shipping, including roll-on/roll-off vessels, product tankers, and passenger vessels as ‘strategic ships’. These lists are produced annually as part of the UK Defence Statistics (UKDS) and are listed as
	“Militarily useful British-registered merchant vessels. There are vessels that could be requisitioned in the appropriate circumstances in support of the armed forces”
	(UKDS tables 4.6 and 4.7). Regular discussions with the Department for Transport at ministerial level on this issue are not required.

Merchant Shipping

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what his policy is on the (a) registration, (b) ownership and (c) crewing of merchant vessels chartered by his Department for use in strategic military (i) operations and (ii) exercises;
	(2)  if he will undertake a comparative review of the UK’s strategic requirement for (a) UK flagged merchant vessels and (b) UK merchant seafarers in (i) 1982 and (ii) 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence defines the required level of strategic sealift based on policy requirements.
	For the movement of cargo by sea, strategic support is primarily provided through the private finance initiative (PFI) Strategic Sealift Service, which comprises a number of British flagged roll-on/roll-off vessels, manned by British officers and crews. Should the demand for sealift exceed the capacity of the Strategic Sealift Service, suitable merchant ships are chartered from the commercial market by means of competitive tender and contracts awarded on the basis of value for money.
	Commercial tenders are evaluated against strict criteria to ensure that the vessels are classified in accordance with the International Association of Classification Societies as recognised by the Maritime Coastal Agency. In addition, the material condition of vessels is assessed against the black, grey and white lists, as defined in the Paris memorandum of understanding. These are used to monitor and record standards of the mercantile marine. The importance of crews’ nationality varies according to the task. For example, it is an important factor in assessing security and force protection requirements and crews’ likely willingness to transit a war-like zone.
	We have no plans to undertake a comparative review of UK merchant vessels.

Tomahawk Missiles

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's current inventory of operational Tomahawk missiles is; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence does not comment on the specific number of its weapon systems as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. Existing stocks of Tomahawk are sufficient to fulfil current operational requirements and stock levels are kept under regular review.

Tornado Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he proposes that the accident report for the crash of the Tornado GR4 on 27 January 2011 will be released.

Nick Harvey: The Service Inquiry report into the occurrence involving Tornado GR4 ZG792 on 27 January 2011 was published on the Ministry of Defence website on 9 May 2012. It is available at the following web link:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/BoardsOfInquiry/ServiceInquiry InvestigatingTheAccidentToTornadoGr4Zg792On27Jan11.htm

Trident

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total projected cost is of the Trident renewal programme; and whether this is included in his Department's committed core equipment programme.

Peter Luff: The Initial Gate parliamentary report, published on 18 May 2011, laid out the costs of the nuclear successor programme and confirmed that the programme remains within the 2006 White Paper costs of £11-14 billion in 2006-07 prices. The Ministry of Defence has since committed to provide an annual report to Parliament on costs and progress of the project, with the first report due shortly. The successor submarine programme is included within the core equipment programme.

Trident

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the dates are of (a) past and (b) planned test firings of Trident D5 missiles.

Peter Luff: Test firings of Trident D5 missiles take place as part of Demonstration and Shakedown Operations (DASOs). The aim of a DASO is to prove the readiness of a ballistic missile submarine and its strategic weapon system for operational deployment.
	The dates of previous test firings of Trident D5 missiles from UK submarines are as follows:
	26 May 1994
	19 June 1994
	24 July 1995
	22 August 1995
	10 October 1997
	21 September 2000
	10 October 2005
	18 May 2009
	I am withholding details of planned test firings for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

Trident

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the planned end-of-service date is for each of the Vanguard Class submarines.

Peter Luff: As outlined in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, the planning assumption for service entry of the first Vanguard successor submarine is 2028. The in-service dates for subsequent boats will be determined at Main Gate in 2016. The out-of-service dates for the Vanguard class submarines will be managed to ensure that continuous at sea deterrence is maintained throughout the transition to the new class.

Type 26 Frigates

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with representatives of the Government of (a) Turkey, (b) Brazil, (c) Australia, (d) Malaysia, (e) India and (f) Canada on mutual cost-sharing for the development of the Global Combat Ship.

Peter Luff: Bilateral discussions with potential international partners, to explore further opportunities for co-operation, are ongoing. I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and other states.

Type 26 Frigates

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the cost of developing the Global Combat Ship.

Peter Luff: The cost to the Ministry of Defence of progressing the Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme, from the concept stage through to the completion of the four-year assessment stage, is estimated to be approximately £170 million.
	The cost of the Design and Manufacturing Phases will be determined at the main investment decision point which is anticipated around the middle of this decade.

Type 45 Destroyers

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions Type 45 vessels have suffered a total electrical failure in the last five years.

Peter Luff: Occasions of electrical failure are not routinely recorded on Type 45 destroyers or any other class of ship.

Type 45 Destroyers

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the reliability of (a) power generation and (b) the main bus bars of the fleet of Type 45 vessels.

Peter Luff: As with all equipment in all classes of ship, the electrical systems in the Type 45 destroyers undergo a continual process of performance assessment and routine maintenance, to ensure they are maintained at the highest standard of availability and reliability.
	Concerns about the reliability of the Type 45 Class power and propulsion system did emerge during first of class sea trials for HMS Daring. As a result, an independent power and propulsion system performance review was commissioned. This review, which reported in March 2011, highlighted a number of unconnected causes of system and equipment failure and these issues have been addressed through a series of design changes, resulting in a marked improvement in performance. Work to complete the implementation of the recommended design changes is continuing.
	There have been no problems with the reliability of bus bars on the in-service Type 45 destroyers.

Type 45 Destroyers

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost for the SMART-L air search radars purchased for the Type 45 destroyers and Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Peter Luff: The SMART-L air search radar has not been purchased for Type 45 Destroyers (T45s) nor the Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) Aircraft Carriers. A derivative of SMART-L, the S1850M, known as the Long Range Radar (LRR) was purchased for the T45s and is being purchased for the QEC Aircraft Carriers.
	The costs of LRR for development and initial production, Follow-on procurement and initial support contract costs incurred by the Department to March 2012 are in the region of £114 million (excluding VAT).
	The development and production and initial support costs of the LRR for the QEC Aircraft Carriers total £32.5 million (VAT). At the present time, no follow-on -procurement costs have been identified.

HEALTH

Abortion

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether he has made an assessment of recent trends in the number of websites offering guidance on home abortions; what steps he is taking to investigate such websites; and whether he plans to take any further action against them;
	(2)  whether he has made an estimate of the number of deaths caused by home abortion attempts in each (a) socio-economic, (b) ethnic and (c) age group in the last five years; and how many police raids on properties involved in performing or offering online guidance on home abortions there have been in the last five years.

Anne Milton: It is important for women in Great Britain to be able to access safe, legal abortion services; the Abortion Act 1967 (as amended) makes provision for this. Any abortion performed outside the terms of the Abortion Act 1967 or any intention of causing a woman to miscarry her pregnancy, is illegal.
	There are strict legal controls on the retail sale, supply and advertisement of medicinal products in the United Kingdom, including those used for abortion. Any incidences of websites offering for sale to the public drugs that may cause an abortion should be reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), who are responsible for the regulation of medicines on the UK market.
	Treatment for an abortion must be carried out only in national health service hospitals or places approved by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.
	Data are not collected centrally on the number of raids carried out by the police in relation to websites offering advice and/or drugs for use in home abortions.
	The Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries (CMACE) produce a report every three years about maternal deaths. The latest report (published 2011) includes the period 2006-08 during which there were no deaths due to the illegal terminations of pregnancy.

Antidepressants: Prescriptions

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions for each selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant were issued in each quarter of 2011.

Simon Burns: Information is only available on prescription items dispensed. The numbers dispensed for each medicine classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in the British National Formulary section 4. 3. 3, is as follows.
	
		
			 Number of prescription items for each selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, written in the United Kingdom and dispensed in the community, in England, in each quarter of 2011 
			 Medicine Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 
			 Citalopram 3,230,779 3,287,259 3,457,000 3,511,580 
			 Escitalopram 303,953 301,160 298,249 289,151 
			 Fluoxetine Hydrochloride 1,343,705 1,368,189 1,394,853 1,408,912 
			 Fluvoxamine Maleate 7,252 7,235 7,322 7,063 
			 Paroxetine Hydrochloride 387,020 389,226 393,714 392,180 
			 Sertraline Hydrochloride 813,420 878,918 943,714 988,150 
			 Total 6,086,129 6,231,987 6,494,852 6,597,036 
			 Source: Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system

Antidepressants: Prescriptions

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many antidepressants were prescribed each year in each region of the UK in each year for which figures are available.

Simon Burns: Information is only available on prescription items dispensed in the community in England. The table shows the number of prescription items dispensed for drugs classified as antidepressant drugs in British National Formulary (BNF) section 4.3 for each available year.
	
		
			  Number of prescription items (thousand) 
			 1991 8,955 
			 1992 9,914 
			 1993 10,777 
			 1994 11,816 
			 1995 13,227 
			 1996 14,961 
			 1997 16,823 
			 1998 18,424 
			 1999 20,108 
			 2000 22,022 
			 2001 24,343 
			 2002 26,329 
			 2003 27,658 
			 2004 28,996 
			 2005 29,390 
		
	
	
		
			 2006 31,038 
			 2007 33,840 
			 2008 35,961 
			 2009 39,140 
			 2010 42,788 
			 2011 46,678 
			 Source: Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system

Antidepressants: Prescriptions

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the proportion of (a) adults and (b) children who were prescribed anti-depressants in the last 12 months for which figures are available in each (i) socio-economic grouping, (ii) religion, (iii) ethnic group and (iv) gender.

Simon Burns: For England, this information is not collected centrally.

Asthma: Medical Equipment

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether his Department has any plans to discuss with the Department for Education the creation of an exemption in the Medicines Regulations to allow schools to keep a spare inhaler for children with asthma in emergencies; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether (a) his Department and (b) the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has taken any steps to consider the proposal to create an exemption in the Medicines Regulations to allow schools to keep a spare inhaler for children with asthma in emergencies; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what representations his Department has received on creating an exemption in the Medicines Regulations to allow schools to keep a spare inhaler for children with asthma in emergencies; what steps his Department is taking to consider this proposal; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: A number of hon. Members, together with Asthma UK, have made representations to the Department of Health on this issue. On 9 May 2012, departmental officials wrote to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency asking if they would be able to undertake a formal risk benefit analysis of the proposal to allow schools to hold an inhaler for emergency use. They have agreed to undertake an analysis and the remit for this will be agreed between the Department of Health and the Department for Education.

Breasts: Plastic Surgery

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings (a) Earl Howe, the Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for quality, (b) officials in his Department and (c) members of the Expert Group have had with private sector cosmetic surgery providers during the preparation of his review of the regulation of PIP breast implants; and what the (i) dates and (ii) attendees were of any such meetings.

Simon Burns: No meetings were held with private sector cosmetic surgery providers by either Ministers or departmental officials as part of the ministerial review of the actions of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Department in relation to PIP silicone breast implants.
	Departmental officials held a meeting with private health care providers on 13 February 2012 to discuss the sector's response to the issues of PIP breast implants. The ministerial review was not discussed at this meeting. The following organisations attended the meeting:
	Independent Healthcare Advisory Service
	Nuffield Health
	Spire Healthcare Ltd
	BMI Healthcare
	Ramsay Health Care UK
	Aspen Medical Care
	The Harley Medical Group
	Transform Medical Group
	Linia Cosmetic Surgery
	Court House Clinics
	Make Yourself Amazing
	Bridgewater Hospital
	The Hospital Group.
	The Department does not hold information on meetings attended by individual members of the PIP Expert Group.

Breasts: Plastic Surgery

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the membership is of his Department's Expert Group on PIP breast implants; and what the declared financial interests are of each member;
	(2)  what the names are of the clinical experts from private sector cosmetic surgery providers who are members of his Department's Expert Group on PIP breast implants.

Simon Burns: The membership of the Expert Group on PIP breast implants, including alternates, is set out in the following table. A number of members of the group work as consultant plastic surgeons in the national health service and in the private sector, or have financial interests that are broadly relevant to the work of the group.
	
		
			 Expert Group on PIP Implants 
			 Member Professional interests Relevant commercial interests 
			 Sir Bruce Keogh (Chairman) NHS Medical Director and Medical Director, NHS Commissioning Board Authority; Fellow and previous council member of Royal College of Surgeons of England None 
			 Mr Simon Edwards Head of Policy Royal College of Surgeons of England None 
			 Mr Fazal Fatah President, British Association of Aesthetic. Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) Consultant plastic surgeon (NHS and private practice) with interest in breast reconstruction and aesthetic surgery; part owner of the Westbourne Centre, Birmingham 
		
	
	
		
			 Mr Tim Goodacre Past president and chair of standards committee, British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons; member of BAAPS Consultant plastic surgeon (NHS and private practice); 4% shareholder in a startup company developing a self-inflated tissue expander (patented development) 
			 Dame Deirdre Hine Former Chief Medical Officer, Welsh Government None 
			 Sir Ian Kennedy Former chair of the Healthcare Commission None 
			 Professor Ian Kimber Professor of toxicology, Manchester University; toxicology member of the Committee on the Safety of Devices None 
			 Mr Ian Martin President of Federation of Surgical Specialist Associations None 
			 Mr Richard Milner President of BAAPS Consultant plastic surgeon (NHS and private practice) 
			 Mr Richard Rainsbury President, Association of Breast Surgery Consultant surgeon; private practice in relation to breast cancer surgery but not to cosmetic breast augmentation 
			 Professor Norman Williams President, Royal College of Surgeons None 
			 Dr Anne-Marie Slowther Associate Professor of Clinical Ethics, Warwick Medical School; GP None 
			 Professor David Spiegelhalter Professor of Biostatistics and Public Understanding of Risk, University of Cambridge None 
			 Mr Simon Withey Member of Council, British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons Consultant plastic surgeon (NHS and private practice); founding partner, London Plastic Surgery Associates; Director, My Aesthetic Ltd 
			 Dr Andrew Vallance-Owen Chair, cosmetic surgery working group of the Independent Healthcare Advisory Services; member of governance group, Treatments You Can Trust Former group medical director, BUPA

Cancer

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether his Department plans to conduct the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey on an annual basis;
	(2)  what recent discussions officials in his Department have had with the NHS Commissioning Board Special Health Authority on funding for cancer networks after 2013;
	(3)  with reference to Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer, what progress he has made in meeting the target for saving additional lives each year by 2014-15.

Paul Burstow: Fieldwork for the 2011-12 National Cancer Patient Experience Survey was completed in April and we hope to publish national and trust level reports between June and July.
	We have recently approved a further survey for 2012-13, and from April 2013 onwards, decisions about the survey will be the responsibility of the NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB).
	We have already made clear that there is a role for clinical networks, such as cancer networks, in the reformed national health service, as a place where clinicians from different sectors come together to improve the quality of care across integrated pathways.
	The cancer networks are a clear example of how this way of working delivers better quality. This is why the Secretary of State for Health announced in May 2011 that we would continue to fund cancer networks in 2012-13 and that the NHS CB will support strengthened cancer networks.
	From April 2013, funding of clinical networks will be a decision for the NHS CB. A review of clinical networks is currently under way, to consider the functions, structures and governance that will most effectively support commissioners to deliver improved quality and outcomes in the future.
	‘Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer’, published on 12 January 2011, sets out actions to tackle preventable cancer incidence, to achieve earlier diagnosis of cancer and to improve the quality and efficiency of cancer services. The impact assessment for the strategy estimates that through the plans for earlier diagnosis of symptomatic patients, screening developments and expansion of radiotherapy services we can save an additional 5,000 lives every year by 2014-15. It is too early to assess the progress made in meeting this commitment.
	The first annual report, published on 12 December 2011, sets outs the achievements over the first year of the cancer strategy and what the priorities are for the year ahead.

Cancer

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the exclusion of cancer patients from the Hospital Episode Statistics readmission rates; and what steps his Department is taking to prevent the unnecessary readmission of cancer patients.

Paul Burstow: Cancer patients were originally excluded from the indicator of readmission within 28 days, developed by the National Centre for Health Outcomes Development and now part of the Information Centre's Compendium of Population Health Indicators, because some cancer patients may need periodic admission to hospital for reasons that do not reflect poor quality of care.
	For similar reasons, hospital readmissions involving cancer are excluded from the policy of non-payment for emergency readmissions. We will keep these exclusions under review. In the meanwhile, NHS Improvement has been leading a Transforming Inpatient Care programme for cancer patients to promote enhanced recovery programmes for elective surgery, the reduction of avoidable emergency admissions, and reducing lengths of stay for those who do need to be admitted as emergencies. To support improvement across the service, lessons learned from the Transforming Inpatient Care Programme will be disseminated to providers and commissioners.

Cancer

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence technology appraisals for cancer were (a) recommended, (b) optimised, (c) classed only in research or (d) not recommended from (i) April 2009 to March 2010, (ii) April 2010 to March 2011 and (iii) April 2011 to March 2012;
	(2)  how many National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence technology appraisals for cancer have included patient access schemes; and how many such appraisals have been (a) recommended, (b) optimised, (c) classed only in research or (d) not recommended between (i) April 2009 and March 2010, (ii) April 2010 and March 2011 and (iii) April 2011 and March 2012.

Paul Burstow: The information requested is not held by the Department. I have asked the chief executive of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to write to the hon. Member with this information. A copy will be placed in the Library.

Cancer: Drugs

Daniel Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which drugs have been funded through the Cancer Drugs Fund since its creation; and how many patients have received each drug.

Simon Burns: Information on the drugs funded under the Cancer Drugs Fund and the number of patients who have received these drugs (from April 2011 to the end of February 2012) is shown in the table. Final figures for 2011-12, based on the final accounts, are expected to be available by the end of June.
	
		
			 Drug Number of patients funded from April 2011 to end February 2012(1) 
			 Abiraterone 1,010 
			 Abraxane 49 
			 Alemtuzumab 49 
			 Arsenic trioxide 4 
			 Azacitidine 131 
			 Bendamustine 373 
			 Bendamustine and Rituximab 28 
			 Bevacizumab 2,770 
			 Bexraotene 3 
			 Bortezomib 210 
			 Brentuximab 11 
			 Cabazitaxel 139 
			 Capecitibine 5 
			 Cetuximab 1,132 
			 Clofarabine 25 
			 Clofarabine and Daunoxome 1 
			 Dasatinib 56 
			 Degarelix 1 
			 Denosumab 21 
			 Depocyte 6 
			 Docetaxel 7 
			 Doxorubicin 1 
			 Eribulin 268 
			 Erlotinib 130 
			 Everolimus 578 
			 Folfox 28 
		
	
	
		
			 Fulvestrant 333 
			 Gemcitabine and Methylprednisolone 1 
			 Gemcitibine 2 
			 Gliadel Wafer 2 
			 Hyperthermic Mitomycin 1 
			 Imatinib 64 
			 Interferon 2 
			 Ipilimumab 132 
			 Irinotecan 1 
			 Lapatinib 601 
			 Lapatinib and paclitaxel 2 
			 Lapatinib with carboplatin 1 
			 Lenalidomide 71 
			 Liposomal Doxorubicin 15 
			 Lutetium Octreotate 10 
			 Metaidobenzylguanidine 2 
			 Mifamurtide 13 
			 Mitotane 5 
			 Nelarabine 5 
			 Nilotinib 58 
			 Ofatumumab 34 
			 Not specified 39 
			 Panitimumab 55 
			 Pazopanib 44 
			 PEG Asparaginase 3 
			 Peginterferon Alpha 3 
			 Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in combination with carboplatin 14 
			 Pemetrexed 64 
			 Rituximab 547 
			 Sirolimus 2 
			 Yttrium 90/Selective Internal Radiation Therapy 39 
			 Sorafenib 484 
			 Sorafenib and Clofarabine 2 
			 Sunitinib 94 
			 Temozolomide 4 
			 Temsirolimus 60 
			 Thiotepa 1 
			 Topotecan 10 
			 Trabectedin 3 
			 Trastuzumab 18 
			 Velcade 1 
			 Vinflunine 18 
			 Vorinostat 1 
			 Zevalin 2 
			 Total 9,899 
			 (1 )Levels of current activity are likely to be higher than these figures suggest, due to the gap between treatment being provided and payment being invoiced and processed. Source: Information supplied to the Department by strategic health authorities.

Cardiovascular System

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Commissioning for Quality and Innovation payments scheme in improving care for patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Simon Burns: No national assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) payments scheme in improving care for patients with acute myocardial infarction.
	The majority of CQUIN goals are locally agreed and commissioners can already choose to use the CQUIN framework to reward providers for ambitious improvements in improving care for patients with acute myocardial infarction.
	National health service commissioners are encouraged to share their CQUIN schemes at the website of the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement. However, the information that is available is by no means a complete picture of CQUIN scheme activity across the NHS and would not provide sufficient information to provide a full and clear assessment of the effectiveness of CQUIN in improving care for patients with acute myocardial infarction. The website can be found at:
	www.institute.nhs.uk/world_class_commissioning/pct_portal/cquin.html

Cardiovascular System

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions officials in his Department have had with patient groups on the development of the Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Strategy.

Simon Burns: Representatives from patient organisations were invited to a national engagement event held on 10 May 2012. A set of regional engagement events is also under way which is including patients and patient organisations among attendees. A further event specifically dedicated to patients and carers is planned, and there will be other opportunities for organisations and individuals with an interest to feed in their views during the production of the strategy.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the outcome of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's initial consultation on the use of balloon angioplasty as a treatment for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency for those with myalgic encephalomyelitis; if he will make it his policy for this treatment to be provided by the national health service; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: The National Institute for Health and Clinical (NICE) has not issued any guidance on the use of balloon angioplasty for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency for patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and there are no plans for it to develop guidance on this topic.
	NICE has issued interventional procedures guidance on percutaneous venoplasty for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency for multiple sclerosis which includes the use of balloon angioplasty, which is available at:
	http://publications.nice.org.uk/percutaneous-venoplasty-for-chronic-cerebrbspinal-venous-insufficiency-for-multiple-sclerosis-ipg420
	NICE considered that there was insufficient evidence to support the use of this procedure in the national health service and recommended that it should only be used in the context of research.

Clinical Trials

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the regulatory framework for adaptive trials in order to encourage sponsorship of adaptive trial designs.

Simon Burns: The decision to adopt a particular clinical trial design is taken by the sponsor of the study and involves many considerations, one of which may be the acceptability of the study methodology for regulators. Medicines regulators are open to clinical trials with an adaptive design, and routinely endorse their use in drug development. Published guidance on clinical trials with adaptive designs in the context of submissions to regulatory authorities is available to sponsors of studies and is subject to periodic review.

Drugs: Prices

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of progress against his objective to introduce a new value-based system of pricing for medicines when the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme expires at the end of 2013;
	(2)  which patient groups or representative organisations he consulted as part of the process of developing a new value-based system of pricing for medicines.

Simon Burns: The consultation, ‘A new value-based approach to the pricing of branded medicines’ ran from December 2010 to March 2011, and the Government response to the consultation was published on 18 July 2011, ‘A new value-based approach to the pricing of branded medicines: Government response to consultation’. This summarised the responses received to the consultation and set out the Government's views on the key issues raised. The response also included the names of patient groups and representative organisations that responded to the consultation. A copy has already been placed in the Library. It is also available from the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Responsestoconsultations/DH_128226
	We continue to work towards the intended introduction of value-based pricing for medicines in 2014.

Electronic Cigarettes

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has carried out of whether there are health risks associated with electronic cigarettes;
	(2)  whether his Department has issued guidance on the labelling and packaging of electronic cigarettes.

Simon Burns: Electronic cigarettes are subject to the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, which include labelling provisions.
	Electronic cigarettes are not currently regulated as medicines which are required to meet appropriate standards of safety, quality and efficacy. Many such products claim to contain nicotine but the content of the products is not routinely assessed as it would be under medicines regulation.
	In March 2011, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) published the outcome of a public consultation on whether to bring all nicotine containing products within the medicines licensing regime. The response to consultation suggested there was strong support for MHRA regulation. The response to consultation also highlighted the need for further information to inform a decision and the MHRA is co-ordinating further scientific and market research with a view to a final decision on the application of medicines regulation in spring 2013.

Fertility: Medical Treatments

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that GPs receive adequate training and support to commission infertility treatments.

Anne Milton: Infertility treatment services will be commissioned by Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) with the NHS Commissioning Board providing oversight and support. This support will include the provision of supportive resources and tools on how CCGs can collaborate to commission infertility services.

Fertility: Medical Treatments

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to monitor the cost of infertility treatment in private clinics.

Anne Milton: The cost of infertility treatment in private clinics is a matter between the clinic and the private patient. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 does not therefore regulate the level of charges for the provision of infertility treatments and services. Nor does the regulation of costs come within the remit for the national regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
	Although charges are a matter for the individual clinic to determine, the HFEA's Code of Practice sets out that before treatment or gametes and embryo storage services are offered, the clinic should give the person seeking these services and their partner a personalised, costed treatment plan, so the person seeking treatment services is clear on what this would cost at that clinic. The HFEA Code of Practice says:
	“Before treatment, storage or both are offered, the centre should also give the person seeking treatment or storage, and their partner (if applicable) a personalised costed treatment plan. The plan should detail the main elements of the treatment proposed (including investigations and tests), the cost of that treatment and any possible changes to the plan, including their cost implications. The centre should give patients the opportunity to discuss the plan before treatment begins”.

Fluoride: Drinking Water

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the use of industrial grade hexafluorosilicic acid in UK water fluoridation schemes.

Anne Milton: We understand that the hexafluorosilicic acid used in water fluoridation schemes in the United Kingdom is manufactured to exacting quality standards to meet European standards and approval by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.

Fraud

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the level of (a) procurement and (b) other fraud affecting his Department's spending in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The Department does not make an estimate of the level of procurement and other fraud affecting departmental spend.
	The Department takes the risk of procurement fraud seriously and operates an effective purchase to pay system with clear separation of duties and mandatory processes, from the raising of requisitions, receipting after satisfactory delivery and payment. All members of staff are required to comply with the Department's Standing Financial Instructions, procurement policies and the purchase to pay process, including the use of the request and receipt forms. The Department also operates a robust control and compliance process for payments made using the Government Procurement Card. This helps to deter and minimise any fraud in this area.

General Practitioners

Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to issue contracts of employment to the chairs of clinical commissioning groups; and if so when he plans to do so.

Simon Burns: No. It will be for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to agree the contracts of employment for their staff. Each group may appoint such persons to be employees as it considers appropriate. It will pay remuneration and travelling and other allowances in accordance with determinations made by its governing body, and employ them on such other terms and conditions as it may determine. Where a chair is not an employee, it will be for the CCG to agree their remuneration and other terms and conditions, where these are not set out in regulations.

General Practitioners

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) average salary and (b) highest total remuneration was for GPs in (i) England and (ii) each strategic health authority region in the latest period for which figures are available.

Simon Burns: The latest available average salary for general practitioners for England and by strategic health authority are published in the “GP Earnings and Expenses 2009-10 Final Report” published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre on 11 November 2011 as contained in the following table.
	
		
			 Average income before tax for general practitioner (GP) contractors for (1) England and (2) strategic health authorities (SHAs) 
			  Average income (£) 
			 (1) England 109,400 
			   
			 (2) By strategic health authority  
			 North East 105,700 
			 North West 105,100 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 107,500 
			 East Midlands 115,700 
			 West Midlands 115,200 
			 East of England 114,400 
			 London 112,400 
			 South East Coast 115,600 
			 South Central 105,300 
			 South West 94,800 
		
	
	It is not possible to determine top total remuneration for either GPs in England or individual SHAs as information is derived from a representative sample of tax data submitted by GPs. However, estimated data on GP contractors earnings at a United Kingdom level within each £10,000 earnings bracket is available in the GP Earnings and Expenses 2009-10 Final Report which has already been placed in the Library.

General Practitioners

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS paid out to retired GPs as part of the NHS pension scheme in each financial year since 1997-98; and how many retired GPs received an NHS pension in each such year.

Simon Burns: Data on the amount paid to retired general practitioners (GPs), and how many GPs received a national health service pension are not available.

Health Services: EU Nationals

Daniel Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the likely revenue to the public purse if interest payments had been levied on other European Economic Area member states and Switzerland for outstanding health care claims under Regulation 987/2009 in each year from 1997-98 to 2009-10.

Anne Milton: The Regulations in force for the period 1997 to April 2010 did not contain a statutory deadline for payments to be made between member states or the ability to charge interest payments. Therefore, no estimate has been made on the impact of interest charges on payments owed to the United Kingdom, or payments owed by the United Kingdom during that period.
	Regulation 883/2004 and its implementing Regulation 987/2009 came into force on 1 May 2010. These Regulations introduced a statutory deadline of 18 months for payment of a valid claim to be made and the ability for member states to charge interest on any claims not met within 18 months. The United Kingdom does not currently have any cases of member states not reimbursing within that time period, nor has the United Kingdom failed to make payments within that period.

Health Services: Overseas Visitors

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  hat assessment he has made of the reason for the increase in income to the NHS from overseas visitors under non-reciprocal arrangements in 2010-11;
	(2)  what the total (a) income received, (b) total losses, (c) bad debt and claims abandoned and (d) income which is still in the process of being recovered was in relation to bills incurred by overseas visitors in each NHS trust in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(3)  how many patients were treated by the NHS who are (a) non-UK EEA citizens and (b) non-EEA citizens in each of the last 10 years;
	(4)  what the average time taken was to collect debt in relation to bills incurred by overseas visitors to the NHS in each financial year since 1997-98.

Anne Milton: The total income recorded in relation to overseas patients, by each national health service trust, in 2010-11, is shown in the following table, together with the total losses, bad debts and claims abandoned recorded.
	The Department has not made a central assessment of the reason for increases in income from overseas patients under non-reciprocal arrangements in 2010-11. Such increases may be due to a higher volume of chargeable overseas visitors receiving treatment, increased identification of such patients by NHS trusts, or local differences in accounting for income.
	The Department does not hold information on income that NHS trusts are still in the process of recovering from overseas visitors, or on the average time to collect debts from overseas visitors.
	The Department does not hold information centrally about the nationality of patients treated by the NHS. Entitlement to NHS treatment is not based on nationality, and NHS trusts do not routinely record the nationality of patients.
	
		
			 £000 
			 Name Overseas patients (non-reciprocal) income Overseas patients losses, bad debts and claims abandoned 
			 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Airedale NHS Foundation Trust 0 0 
			 Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 45 63 
			 Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Community Healthcare NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust 892 0 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 286 140 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Barts and The London NHS Trust 1,284 938 
			 Bedford Hospital NHS Trust 65 0 
			 Bedfordshire and Luton Mental Health and Social Care NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Bradford District Care NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust 243 0 
			 Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust 275 72 
			 Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Croydon Health Services NHS Trust 289 41 
			 Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust 98 31 
			 Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 0 0 
			 Devon Partnership NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Ealing Hospital NHS Trust 50 168 
			 East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust 390 49 
			 East Cheshire NHS Trust 67 1 
			 East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust 51 12 
			 East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 0 
			 East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 0 
			 East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust 59 3 
			 Eastern and Coastal Kent Community Health NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust 187 107 
			 George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust 0 1 
			 Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust 112 0 
			 Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust 13 0 
			 Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS Trust 15 0 
			 Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust 0 24 
			 Humber Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust 5,083 1,187 
			 Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust 74 26 
			 Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Kingston Hospital NHS Trust 109 16 
			 Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 1,238 3 
			 Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Trust 0 0 
			 London Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Manchester Mental Health and Social Care NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Mersey Care NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust 1,212 3 
			 Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust 63 0 
			 Newham University Hospital NHS Trust 345 337 
			 NHS Direct NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust 0 0 
			 North Bristol NHS Trust 367 226 
			 North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust 41 0 
			 North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 0 
			 North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust 387 86 
			 North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust 0 0 
			 North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 0 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 985 611 
			 Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust 155 54 
			 Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust 57 44 
			 Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust 242 0 
			 Oxford Learning Disability NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 418 291 
			 Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust 105 7 
			 Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust 192 84 
			 Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust 86 31 
			 Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn NHS Foundation Trust 13 0 
			 Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust 68 5 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 526 457 
			 Royal Liverpool Broadgreen Hospitals NHS Trust 0 58 
			 Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust 55 3 
			 Royal Wolverhampton Hospital NHS Trust 27 83 
			 Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust 90 33 
			 Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust 28 8 
			 Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust 29 8 
			 South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 0 
			 South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust 0 0 
			 South London Healthcare NHS Trust 638 0 
			 South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust 0 0 
			 South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS Trust 0 0 
			 South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust 0 0 
			 South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust 0 0 
			 South West Yorks Mental Health NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust 385 253 
			 Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust 1 0 
			 St George's Healthcare NHS Trust 1,008 0 
			 St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust 39 17 
			 Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust 318 43 
			 Sussex Community NHS Trust 0 0 
			 The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust 1,089 396 
			 The Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust 435 283 
			 The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust 15 0 
			 United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust 47 7 
			 University Hospital of North Staffordshire Hospital NHS Trust 312 0 
			 University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust 71 57 
			 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust 513 119 
			 University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust 7 1 
			 Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust 0 1 
			 Walton Neurology Centre NHS Trust 0 0 
			 West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust 137 41 
			 West London Mental Health NHS Trust 328 0 
			 West Middlesex University NHS Trust 268 0 
			 West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 0 
			 West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust 25 11 
			 Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust 59 0 
			 Weston Area Health NHS Trust 2 0 
			 Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust 608 160 
			 Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 245 72 
			 Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust 218 0 
			 Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 0 
			 Total 23,184 6,771 
			 Note: Where an NHS trust obtains foundation trust status part way through any year, the data provided are only for the part of the year the organisation operated as an NHS Trust. Source: 2010-11 NHS Trusts Audited Summarisation Schedules

Health Services: Reciprocal Arrangements

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated by the NHS under the provisions of a European Health Insurance Card in each of the last 10 years; and what proportion of the total number of NHS patients treated this represented in each such year.

Anne Milton: The national health service records the number of treatments rather than the number of patients treated. The number of treatments carried out in the NHS under the provisions of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and what proportion of overall NHS treatments this represents are shown in the following table. EHIC data figures were not recorded centrally prior to October 2009.
	
		
			  Number of EHIC treatments Proportion of total number of NHS treatments (percentage) 
			 2009-10 1,292 0.002 
			 2010-11 2,636 0.004 
			 2011-12 3,027 0.005 
			 Note: Treatment activity could include one individual using the NHS on multiple occasions.

Health Services: Scotland

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions he has put in place to prevent Foundation Trusts charging for treating NHS patients resident in Scotland on the grounds that it is not regarded as income received for activity undertaken in pursuit of their principal purpose.

Simon Burns: There are no provisions in the Health and Social Care Act 2012 that allow a foundation trust to charge a national health service patient resident in Scotland. The Government regards income foundation trusts earn from treating NHS patients that are resident in Scotland as income received for activity undertaken in pursuit of their principal purpose of providing goods and services for the purposes of the NHS England.

Health Services: Sign Language

Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue guidance to commissioners of sign language interpreters in the NHS to ensure that only fully qualified interpreters are used during health appointments; and if he will make a statement.

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who he proposes will be responsible for commissioning sign language interpreters for healthcare appointments in the new NHS structure.

Paul Burstow: From 1 April 2013, it will be for the NHS Commissioning Board and clinical commissioning groups to make arrangements, for the delivery of services they are responsible for, including the appropriate provision of interpreters for users of sign language services during health care appointments.
	The Department has no plans to issue guidance on this matter. From 1 April 2013 it will be for the NHS Commissioning Board to decide what guidance it wishes to issue to clinical commissioning groups.
	When making decisions about what services are delivered locally, all national health service organisations must assure themselves that they have complied with the Equality Act 2010. This includes advancing equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic, including a disability such as hearing loss, and those who do not. Advancing equality involves, for example, taking steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups where these are different from the needs of other people.

Home Care Services: Nottinghamshire

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in (a) Ashfield and (b) Nottinghamshire had home care services fully paid by their local authority in the last two years for which figures are available.

Paul Burstow: Information on the numbers of people receiving home care in Ashfield constituency is not collected centrally.
	We are informed by the NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care that information on people receiving home care which is partly or fully funded by Nottinghamshire county council, which includes Ashfield, is collected. However, it is not possible to break the data down to show numbers whose care is fully funded separately from those whose care is partially funded.
	Table 1 shows the number of people receiving home care which was partly or fully funded by Nottinghamshire county council during the period 1 April to 31 March for the years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (that is, at some point during the year in question). Table 2 shows the same information but for the number of people receiving home care on 31 March, the final day of each period.
	
		
			 Table 1. Number of people receiving home care which was partly or fully funded by Nottinghamshire county council during financial years 2009-10 and 2010-11 
			  2009-10(1) 2010-11 
			 Number of people receiving home care 6,655 6,465 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2. Number of people receiving home care which was partly or fully funded by Nottinghamshire county council as at 31 March 2010 and 2011 
			  2010(1) 2011 
			 Number of people receiving home care 4,420 3,745 
			 (1) In 2009-10 councils were asked to record people receiving a personal budget under the heading “Existing Direct Payment and/or Personal Budget” on P2s and P2f and not record the different services the service user received as part of their care package. As a result, the figures in the tables for 2009-10 and 2010 do not include people getting home care-as part of a personal budget. This was changed for 2010-11, so people getting home care as part of a personal budget are included for 2010-11 and 2011. Source: Referrals, Assessments and Packages of Care (RAP) return. NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care.

Hospital Beds

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the bed-to-qualified-staff ratio in (a) England, (b) each foundation trust and (c) each acute trust in each of the last five years.

Simon Burns: The information at foundation trust and acute trust level could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, aggregate figures for England are in the following table.
	It is unclear to which type of beds my hon. Friend is referring. Therefore, four scenarios are provided using full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, so that an increase in the ratio indicates an increase in the number of staff per bed.
	Data presented are for beds in national health service organisations in England and staffing data for FTE include doctors, qualified nurses, qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff (ST&Ts) and qualified ambulance staff working in NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) in England:
	
		
			  2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 
			 Ratio of professionally qualified FTEs to available beds open overnight 3.2 3.3 3.5 3.9 4.0 
			 Ratio of professionally qualified FTEs to occupied beds open overnight 3.8 3.9 4.1 4.6 4.7 
			 Ratio of professionally qualified FTEs to available beds open overnight plus day only beds 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.6 3.7 
			 Ratio of professionally qualified FTEs to occupied beds open overnight plus day only beds 3.6 3.6 3.8 4.2 4.3 
			 Notes: 1. Work force FTE data exclude general practitioners and practice nurses as they work in primary care settings. 2. Work force FTE data are as at 30 September in each year. 3. FTE figures include some types of staff who might not work in roles directly connected with bed activity, for example health visitors. 4. Beds open overnight data include general and acute, learning disability, maternity and mental illness beds. 5. From Quarter 1 2010-11 the KH03 became a quarterly collection. Prior to this the KH03 collection had been an annual collection from all NHS organisations that have beds, (ordinary or day case), both NHS trusts and primary care trusts that collected the total number of available bed days and the total number of occupied bed days by ward classification. Figures for 2010-11 and 2011-12 are based on average bed numbers from each quarter. 6. The classification for bed occupancy was changed from ward type to the consultant specialty of the responsible consultant in Q1 2010-11. Care should therefore be taken when comparing 2009-10 to 2010-11 as data might not be directly comparable. 7. It is likely that beds open overnight and day only beds require different levels of staffing. Therefore, care should be taken when comparing changes in staff to bed ratios that include both types of bed. Sources: 1. Work force data: Health and Social Care Information Centre: Medical and Dental Workforce Census; Non-medical Workforce Census 2. Beds data: Department of Health KH03

Hospitals: Standards

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken by his Department to ensure that (a) patients receive adequate nutrition while in hospital, (b) patients receive adequate hydration while in hospital, (c) patients' toileting needs are adequately met, (d) patients receive adequate pain relief to meet their needs and (e) patients are able to receive help when they ask for it.

Anne Milton: There are a great deal of best practice guidance and resources in place that support the delivery of high quality, safe and effective care. This includes ensuring patients receive adequate food and drink, pain relief and help when requested.
	The Energising for Excellence Framework being taken forward by the strategic health authority chief nurses, is a total quality approach to improving care. “The Operating Framework for the NHS in England 2012/13” includes requirements to improve the care of older people and dignity and respect, and a national Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) goal relating to the use of the safety thermometer will help focus commissioners and providers on reducing the harm from pressure ulcers, falls, catheter-related infections and blood clots.
	At the heart of the health care reforms is a focus on improving the quality and outcomes of health care for patients. One of the NHS Commissioning Board's roles will be to provide national leadership, in driving up the quality of care. The board, along with clinical commissioning groups, will have a legal duty to secure continuous Improvement in the quality of services and outcomes. The Chief Nursing Officer will have a specific remit to improve the safety and people's experience of nursing care.
	On 6 January 2012 the Prime Minister announced a series of measures to improve the quality of nursing care and free up nurses to provide the care patients and their relatives expect. These included setting up the independent Nursing and Care Quality Forum, tasked with ensuring that best nursing practice is spread throughout the national health service and social care.

Departmental Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what target he has set to reduce headcount across his Department, its non-departmental public bodies and executive agencies in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The Department does not have specific headcount reduction targets for the years in question. In line with the parameters of the 2010 spending review, the Department is committed to reducing total administration costs by one-third in real terms over the period 2010-11 to 2014-15. The Department has already reduced its staffing expenditure significantly by running a voluntary exit scheme for permanent staff in 2010-11 and by reducing significantly its non-permanent workforce.
	We expect the number of permanent staff in the Department to reduce further over the spending review period through turnover, voluntary redundancy and, if necessary, compulsory redundancy.
	The reduction in funding over the spending review period applies to the Department's non-departmental public bodies and agency, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. While there are no specific headcount reduction targets, the impact will result in fewer staff in those organisations.

Medicine: Education

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many places for (a) student midwives, (b) student doctors and (c) student nurses there were in each region in each academic year since 1997-98.

Anne Milton: The total population of student midwives and nurses has not been collected for every year since 1997-98. Data regarding the number of non-medical trainees is collected based on the number of new commissions, and is collected by financial year rather than academic year. The following table shows the number of midwifery training commissions by each strategic health authority (SHA) between 2006-07 and 2011-12.
	
		
			 Midwifery commissions, 2006-07 to 2011-12 
			  Region 
			  North East North West Yorkshire and the Humber East Midlands West Midlands East of England London South East Coast South Central South West England total 
			 2006-07 84 234 197 44 228 49 282 136 82 114 1,450 
			 2007-08 85 247 162 45 233 204 283 139 142 119 1,659 
			 2008-09 86 257 211 157 295 276 454 203 173 160 2,272 
			 2009-10 92 263 269 179 330 289 511 178 203 168 2,482 
			 2010-11 90 233 255 170 295 284 575 219 198 169 2,488 
			 2011-12 89 255 271 169 287 270 573 216 200 154 2,484 
			 Source: SHA multi professional education and training (MPET) financial information returns. 
		
	
	Due to restructuring of the SHAs, regional data is not available for prior years and therefore the England totals have been provided in the following table for the year 1997-98 to 2005-06.
	
		
			 Midwifery commissions, 1997-98 to 2005-06 
			  England total 
			 1997-98 1,704 
			 1998-99 1,751 
			 1999-2000 1,772 
			 2000-01 1,887 
			 2001-02 1,878 
			 2002-03 2,110 
			 2003-04 2,226 
			 2004-05 2,374 
			 2005-06 1,949 
			 Source: SHA MPET financial information returns. 
		
	
	Nursing commissions are collected on the same basis as midwifery commissions as shown in the following tables.
	
		
			 Nursing commissions, 2006-07 to 2011-12 
			  Region 
			  North East North West Yorkshire and the Humber East Midlands West Midlands East of England London South East Coast South Central South West England total 
			 2006-07 1,132 3,633 2,555 1,538 2,684 1,791 3,705 1,341 1,248 1,572 21,199 
			 2007-08 1,073 3,428 2,007 1,452 2,402 1,590 3,523 1,293 1,106 1,478 19,352 
			 2008-09 1,132 3,617 2,053 1,641 2,607 1,881 3,849 1,195 1,146 1,543 20,664 
			 2009-10 1,132 3,602 2,148 1,744 2,612 1,949 3,783 1,176 1,154 1,529 20,829 
			 2010-11 1,047 3,430 2,150 1,585 2,521 1,730 3,688 1,303 1,142 1,496 20,092 
			 2011-12 1,007 3,033 1,822 1,435 2,073 1,516 3,259 1,123 1,112 1,361 17,741 
			 Source: SHA MPET financial information returns. 
		
	
	
		
			 Nursing commissions, 1997-98 to 2005-06 
			  England total 
			 1997-98 15,743 
			 1998-99 16,837 
			 1999-2000 17,692 
			 2000-01 18,923 
			 2001-02 20,624 
			 2002-03 21,523 
		
	
	
		
			 2003-04 22,815 
			 2004-05 23,369 
			 2005-06 20,308 
			 Source: SHA MPET financial information returns. 
		
	
	Information on student doctors is collected as the total number of undergraduate medical training places in each financial year. A regional breakdown is available only from 2007-08, as shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Undergraduate medical training places, 2007-08 to 2011-12 
			  Region 
			  North East North West Yorkshire and the Humber East Midlands West Midlands East of England London South East Coast South Central South West England total 
			 2007-08 1,050 2,559 1,929 1,756 1,719 866 5,386 399 1,301 1,307 18,272 
			 2008-09 1,079 2,277 2,011 1,791 2,088 931 5,363 419 1,249 1,304 18,512 
			 2009-10 1,087 2,462 2,005 1,792 2,144 974 5,606 392 1,261 1,374 19,097 
			 2010-11 1,066 2,466 1,937 1,837 2,110 954 5,690 392 1,280 1,374 19,106 
			 2011-12 1,043 2,469 1,977 1,913 2,144 990 5,668 416 1,286 1,396 19,302 
			 Source: SHA MPET financial information returns. 
		
	
	Prior to 2003-04 the funding methodology for undergraduate medical training was not based on activity and therefore the number of training places are not available for these years. Information between 2003-04 and 2006-07 has been provided as a national level due to restructuring of the SHAs as shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Undergraduate medical training places, 2003-04 to 2006-07 
			  England total 
			 2003-04 12,924 
			 2004-05 14,416 
			 2005-06 16,114 
			 2006-07 17,560 
			 Source: SHA MPET financial information returns.

Medicine: Education

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) student midwives, (b) student doctors and (c) student nurses were in receipt of a bursary in each academic year since 1997-98; what the average bursary paid to each was in that year; and what the total cost was to his Department of bursaries paid to those students.

Anne Milton: The number of student midwives, student doctors and student nurses who held a bursary in each year since 1997-98; the average bursary paid to those students; and the total cost are shown in the following tables.
	
		
			 Student midwives on pre-registration degree and diploma courses 
			  Number of bursary holders(l) Average amount paid per bursary holder(2 )(£) Total amount paid £) 
			 1997-98 102 2,999 305,914 
			 1998-99 362 2,853 1,032,758 
			 1999-2000 1,216 3,868 4,703,867 
			 2000-01 1,980 4,250 8,415,316 
			 2001-02 2,751 4,726 13,002,223 
			 2002-03 3,166 4,863 15,397,679 
			 2003-04 3,541 4,995 17,688,013 
			 2004-05 3,738 5,521 20,637,109 
			 2005-06 3,901 5,657 22,067,168 
			 2006-07 3,812 5,716 21,787,618 
			 2007-08 3,996 5,813 23,228,490 
			 2008-09 4,265 5,715 24,373,689 
			 2009-10 4,777 5,765 27,539,804 
			 2010-11 5,218 5,722 29,854,947 
		
	
	
		
			 Student nurses on pre-registration degree and diploma courses 
			  Number of bursary holders(1) Average amount paid per bursary holder(2) (£) Total amount paid (£) 
			 1997-98 — — — 
			 1998-99 1,272 1,991 2,531,982 
			 1999-2000 18,207 3,805 69,274,583 
			 2000-01 33,507 4,463 149,556,571 
			 2001-02 48,700 5,121 249,376,136 
			 2002-03 56,500 5,118 289,171,150 
			 2003-04 58,088 5,207 302,438,759 
			 2004-05 59,369 5,531 328,364,818 
			 2005-06 60,108 5,744 345,257,860 
			 2006-07 60,464 5,825 352,179,688 
			 2007-08 57,441 6,001 344,721,676 
			 2008-09 56,415 6,243 352,183,188 
			 2009-10 57,786 6,404 370,037,635 
			 2010-11 57,725 6,422 370,723,915 
		
	
	
		
			 Student doctors on degree courses 
			  Number of bursary holders(1) Average amount paid per bursary holder(2) (£) Total amount paid excluding tuition fees (£) Tuition fees(3 )(£) 
			 1997-98 — — — — 
			 1998-99 — — — — 
			 1999-2000 — — — — 
			 2000-01 14 2,120 29,687 n/a 
			 2001-02 932 586 546,045 n/a 
			 2002-03 4,153 1,386 5,755,069 n/a 
			 2003-04 5,965 1,559 9,298,854 n/a 
			 2004-05 6,694 1,709 11,439,462 n/a 
			 2005-06 8,406 1,759 14,789,517 8,055,885 
			 2006-07 9,249 1,865 17,251,889 9,075,960 
			 2007-08 10,022 1,851 18,551,600 10,909,494 
			 2008-09 10,640 1,754 18,658,860 12,798,778 
			 2009-10 10,932 1,809 19,779,938 14,572,596 
		
	
	
		
			 2010-11 11,402 1,717 19,580,043 23,214,244 
			 (1) Includes nil award holders (European Union fees only students and students whose living allowance element of the bursary has been reduced to nil after income assessment). Apart from a small number of students on graduate training programmes, the majority of medical students only became eligible for national health service funding from academic year 2002-03. (2) Includes the basic award and all supplementary allowances and one-off payments e.g. reimbursement of practice placement costs and disabled students allowance. (3) A student's liability for a tuition fee contribution is paid directly to the higher education institution upon receipt of an invoice. Tuition fee data for student doctors can only be extracted from NHS Student Bursary Scheme database from 2005-06 onwards. Prior to these data these payments were made by a manual process. Bursary amounts and averages have been rounded to the nearest pound. Source: NHS Business Services Authority.

Mental Health Services

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times the Care Quality Commission called on clinical associates to assist in making regulatory judgments which have a specialist mental health element in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Simon Burns: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and adult social care providers in England.
	The CQC is responsible for assessing whether providers are meeting the registration requirements which set out essential levels of safety and quality.
	The CQC has provided the following information:
	The CQC compliance inspectors have always had access to clinical expertise to support their regulatory work where they require it. However, the CQC does not currently collect the information in the format requested.
	The CQC has replaced the term “clinical associates” with “specialist advisors”.
	The CQC is on track to begin introducing a bank of specialist advisors by June 2012, as set out in its action plan in response to the Department's Performance and Capability review of the CQC. The CQC expect the bank to be fully operational by July 2012 and from then it will be able to report on which compliance reports are completed with assistance from specialist advisors.

Mental Health Services: Prisons

Ben Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to improve pathways through secure mental health services to reduce the long waiting times for prison transfers when people are acutely unwell.

Paul Burstow: The Department published a good practice procedure guide in March 2011 to facilitate the transfer of prisoners to secure psychiatric hospitals. Between January and April 2012 the Department consulted on commissioning guidance for low secure mental health services and psychiatric intensive care services. The outcome of that consultation will be published later this year. Defining standards for low secure services is expected to ease pressure on medium secure services, and bring further improvement in transfer times between prison and hospital.

Mental Health Services: Veterans

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to enable local groups working with veterans to access public funds to help them deal with individuals who have mental health problems.

Simon Burns: With regards specifically to funding, the Department of Health runs an annual grants scheme for Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development, which all voluntary sector organisations are able to apply to. The scheme receives applications from organisations supporting military veterans, and military veterans with mental health problems. Voluntary organisations Combat Stress and the Royal British Legion are also part of the Department's Strategic Partner Programme, and therefore will have knowledge of funding opportunities for the sector should they arise.
	Veterans' mental health is an area which has received significant attention from this Government in the past two years. Following the publication of Dr Andrew Murrison's report 'Fighting Fit', the Government pledged £1.8 million per annum for the remainder of the spending review period to implement its recommendations. Much work has already been completed, such as the launch of a 24-hour veterans telephone helpline, a pilot of the online wellbeing service 'Big White Wall' and an e-learning package for general practitioners to familiarise themselves with veteran-specific health problems.
	In addition, each of the 10 Armed Forces Networks (based geographically in the old strategic health authority areas) have received £150,000 with which to build up enhanced community veterans’ mental health services in their areas. These services are now up and running in almost every region with the remainder planned to come on line by the end of this calendar year. These services were developed in conjunction with local groups, for the local population.

Mental Health

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people in each (a) socio-economic, (b) ethnic and (c) age group were diagnosed with a mental health condition in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  how many people in each (a) socio-economic, (b) ethnic and (c) age group were diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder in each of the last 10 years.

Paul Burstow: We do not hold annual data on the number of people diagnosed with a mental health condition or with obsessive compulsive disorder by socio-economic, ethnic and age group for the last 10 years.
	Data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) providing information on the prevalence of various mental health conditions in 2007 by ethnic group, age group and equivalised household income group has been placed in the Library. It should be noted that these data concern the presence of symptoms, not whether someone has received a diagnosis. These also relate to common mental disorders, including obsessive compulsive disorder, and do not include other groups of disorders, e.g. disorders such as psychosis and personality disorder, dependence disorders (substance and gambling) and conditions such as ADHD and eating disorders, which also come under the term ‘mental disorder’.
	Data from the Mental Health Bulletin 2011, and Table 1.2-1.4 of the associated national reference tables/providing information on the number of people accessing NHS funded secondary mental health services by age and ethnic group in the years between 2006-07 and 2011-12 has also been placed in the Library. The Data Quality and Methodology document published alongside the main report notes that the data for each year are not completely comparable because of improvement in collection of key data over time.

Methadone

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the efficacy and value for money that might be obtained by using non-racemic levo and dextro-methadones instead of racemic methadone in the treatment of drug addiction and neuropathic pain.

Anne Milton: Marketing authorisation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, has only been sought for racemic methadone. Levo-methadone has not been authorised in the United Kingdom and data in support of its efficacy have not been submitted for evaluation.

Mutual Societies

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of full-time equivalent staff who will transfer from his Department, its non-departmental public bodies and executive agency's workforce to a mutual in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: No staff in the Department, its agency the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, or its non-departmental public bodies transferred to a mutual in 2011-12. No staff have transferred during 2012-13 to date, and there are currently no plans for transfers to a mutual in the future.

NHS: Charitable Donations

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many charitable donations were received by each NHS organisation in each financial year since 1997-98; and what the total amount of these donations was.

Simon Burns: The information is not collected in the format requested.
	The Department does not collect data on the number of charitable donations received by each national health service organisation. However, the Department does collect information on the value of charitable and other contributions to expenditure and donated assets. This information has been placed in the Library.
	In common with many other public and private sector organisations, the Department only holds accounting data at organisation level for seven years, and therefore data cannot be provided prior to 2004-05. A separate table has been provided for each year, owing to changes in organisations over the period.

NHS: Drugs

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average time was for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to make a decision on the licensing of new drugs for use in the NHS in the latest period for which figures are available.

Paul Burstow: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is not responsible for the medicines licensing process. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the European Medicines Agency have responsibility for licensing new drugs.
	NICE issues technology appraisal guidance to the national health service on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of new and existing drugs and treatments.

NHS: Interest Rates

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost and likely implications for the NHS if the UK were subject to commercial interest rates of 6.5 per cent.

Simon Burns: Most borrowing in the national health service is by NHS providers for capital investment. The majority of this borrowing is from the Department. Repayments to the Department for this borrowing are recycled into allocations to the NHS or into further borrowing. Thus, as a sealed system, there are no resources lost to the NHS as a whole regardless of the actual level of the interest rate.
	NHS providers have a choice as to whom they borrow money from. If rates were increased to become similar to commercial rates, they would still be somewhat lower than commercial rates as commercial rates would always include an additional margin for risk. Thus most borrowing, in reality, would still be sourced from the Department and thus would not represent a net increased cost to the NHS as a whole.

NHS: Pensions

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of retired members of the NHS pension scheme who are in receipt of (a) £142,500 or more and (b) £150,000 or more per year as part of their NHS pension.

Simon Burns: The information requested could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

NHS: Recruitment

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost to the NHS was of employing (a) managers and senior managers, (b) consultants, (c) GPs, (d) nurses and (e) all other staff in each financial year since 1997-98.

Simon Burns: The information requested is provided in the following table:
	
		
			 £000 
			  Senior managers and managers Nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff All other staff 
			 1997-98 911,539 6,631,381 8,532,500 
			 1998-99 952,327 6,982,090 9,124,743 
			 1999-2000 1,054,677 7,691,928 9,929,109 
			 2000-01 1,186,573 8,337,843 10,973,000 
			 2001-02 1,331,350 9,379,697 12,428,737 
			 2002-03 1,563,565 10,270,654 13,952,285 
			 2003-04 1,772,177 10,896,121 15,744,577 
			 2004-05 2,084,540 11,453,680 17,077,514 
			 2005-06 2,199,533 11,522,049 17,140,363 
			 2006-07 2,072,432 11,114,727 16,655,460 
			 2007-08 1,852,879 10,252,329 15,688,601 
			 2008-09 1,844,837 9,501,689 15,478,930 
			 2009-10 1,966,503 9,152,504 15,494,890 
			 2010-11 1,951,458 8,904,702 15,385,718 
			 Notes: 1. Information on the cost of employing consultants cannot be disaggregated from other staff cost information held centrally. 2. Most General Medical Practitioners are independent contractors and are not directly employed by the national health service, rather they receive contractual payments for delivering primary medical care services.

NHS: Redundancy

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS staff were made redundant who were subsequently re-employed by the NHS in each financial year between 1997 and 2010; and what the total cost of these redundancies was in each year.

Simon Burns: The number and cost of national health service staff made redundant and subsequently re-employed by the NHS is not held centrally.

NHS: Repairs and Maintenance

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of backlog maintenance for the NHS estate in England was, by level of assessed risk, in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12.

Simon Burns: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 £ million 
			  2009-10 2010-11 
			 High risk 301 322 
			 Significant risk 1,107 1,022 
			 Moderate risk 1,514 1,524 
			 Low risk 1,174 1,299 
			 Total backlog maintenance 4,096 4,166 
		
	
	Data for 2011-12 are currently being collected and will be published in October 2012.
	Backlog maintenance is the amount of investment heeded to bring the estate up to a satisfactory standard. It is reduced through either capital investment or the disposal of the estate.
	The Department collects data on backlog maintenance annually from the national health service trusts through its Estates Returns Information Collection (ERIC). The data collected have not been amended centrally and its accuracy always remains the responsibility of the contributing NHS organisations.
	NHS organisations are locally responsible for the provision and maintenance of their facilities. This includes planning and investment to reduce backlog maintenance.
	The data definitions used in ERIC to collect data are:
	
		
			 Risk level Definition 
			 High risk Where repairs/replacement must be addressed with urgent priority in order to prevent catastrophic failure, major disruption to clinical services or deficiencies in safety liable to cause serious injury and/or prosecution. 
			 Significant risk Where repairs/replacement require priority management and expenditure in the short term so as not to cause undue concern to statutory enforcement bodies or risk to healthcare delivery or safety. 
			 Moderate risk Where repairs/replacement require effective management and expenditure in the medium term through close monitoring so as not to cause undue concern to statutory enforcement bodies or risk to healthcare delivery or safety. 
			 Low risk Where repairs/replacement are required to be addressed through agreed maintenance programmes or included in the later years of an estate strategy.

NHS: Telephone Numbering

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS bodies have changed their telephone number since directions on the use of 084 numbers were issued in December 2009.

Simon Burns: The Department has made no assessment of number of national health service bodies that have changed their telephone number since December 2009.
	The Department issued guidance and Directions to NHS bodies in December 2009 on the cost of telephone calls, which prohibit the use of telephone numbers that charge the patient more than the equivalent cost of calling a geographical number to contact the NHS. It is currently the responsibility of primary care trusts to ensure that local practices are compliant with the Directions and guidance.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the acquisition of North Cumbria University Hospital Trust by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation has been delayed; and if he will take steps to ensure the acquisition proceeds quickly.

Simon Burns: We understand that this acquisition is progressing in line with the timetable agreed by the national health service organisations concerned. NHS North of England, North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (FT) are working together to ensure the process is successful and happens as soon as possible to ensure the delivery of sustainable, high quality healthcare services to the people of North Cumbria. Sustainability is key to the delivery of the commitment for all remaining NHS trusts to achieve FT status as stand-alone organisations or in some other organisational form, including, acquisition by an existing FT.

Nurses: Schools

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of (a) secondary schools and (b) associated primary school clusters are served by a full-time school nurse in (i) Washington and Sunderland West constituency and (ii) England;
	(2)  how much funding his Department provided for school nurses in each primary care trust area in each year since 2010;
	(3)  whether his Department plans to allocate one qualified school nurse to each secondary school and its cluster of primary schools; and when he expects this objective to be achieved.

Anne Milton: The information requested is not collected centrally. It is for local commissioning organisations to make funding decisions based on national and local priorities for improving health and to commission services accordingly. This process provides the means for assessing local needs including the health needs of children and young people and thus the funding and commissioning of appropriate services including school nursing services.
	To support this process the Department has worked in partnership with school nurses, professional bodies and young people as part of the School Nursing Development Programme. We have developed a new vision and model for the profession covering many elements of health and wellbeing for children and young people aged five to 19. The report and call to action from this programme, “Getting it right for children, young people and families” was published in March 2012. A copy of the report has already been placed in the Library and is available at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_133352.pdf

Nurses: Schools

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many qualified school nurses there were in (a) Washington and Sunderland West constituency and (b) England in each of the last three years.

Anne Milton: Washington and Sunderland West constituency falls within the area covered by Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT). The number of qualified school nurses employed by the national health service in Sunderland Teaching PCT and England in the annual NHS workforce census for each of the last three years is shown in the table.
	The table from the annual NHS workforce census shows that there was one qualified school nurse employed by the NHS in Sunderland Teaching PCT in 2009 and that no qualified school nurses were employed by the NHS in Sunderland Teaching PCT in 2010 and 2011. However, school nurses are often employed outside the NHS and if they are employed in the NHS they tend to have a lead employer for a wider patch.
	
		
			 NHS hospital and community health services: qualified school nursing nurses in England, the North East strategic health authority area and each specified organisation as at 30 September each specified year 
			 Full time equivalent 
			  2009 2010 2011 
			 England Qualified School Nurses 1,167 1,096 1,165 
			 Of which:    
			 North East Strategic Health Authority area Qualified School Nurses 51 50 58 
			 Of which:    
			 County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Qualified School Nurses 0 0 49 
			 Darlington PCT Qualified School Nurses 44 45 0 
			 Gateshead PCT Qualified School Nurses 3 2 5 
			 North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation trust Qualified School Nurses 3 3 3 
			 North Tyneside PCT Qualified School Nurses 0 0 3 
			 Northumberland Care Trust Qualified School Nurses 1 0 0 
			 Redcar and Cleveland PCT Qualified School Nurses 0 0 1 
			 South Tyneside PCT All School Nursing nurses 14 0 0 
			 Sunderland Teaching PCT Qualified School Nurses 1 0 0 
			 Notes: 1.School nurses are often employed outside the NHS and if they are employed in the NHS they tend to have a lead employer for a given area. 2. As part of the changes that are currently effecting the organisational structure of the NHS the legally defined PCTs have clustered into larger regional units to provide a more consistent approach to care in their local health economy and to benefit from the savings such as shared management teams that this offers. In the case of the PCTs in the North East of England these changes have been present for some time and this can be seen in the increases and decreases in staff numbers (for example qualified nurses) across the PCTs as provision has been centred on one of the local PCTs within the cluster. 3. A few NHS organisations existed within the Electronic Staff Record database with small numbers of staff as a result of the impact of Transforming Community Services and the resultant system mergers and demergers which were still ongoing at the time of the 2011 census. Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census

Obesity: Surgery

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in each (a) socio-economic, (b) ethnic and (c) age group underwent weight-loss operations in each of the last 10 years.

Anne Milton: The NHS Information Centre has provided a count of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) with a primary diagnosis of obesity and a main or secondary operative procedure of bariatric surgery, for each socio-economic, ethnic, and age group for the years 2001-02 to 2010-11.
	This information is provided in the following tables:
	
		
			 Count of finished consultant episodes (FCEs)(1) with a primary diagnosis of obesity(2) and a main or secondary operative procedure of bariatric surgery(3) for each (a) socio-economic(4), (b) ethnic(5), and (c) age group for the years 2001-02 to 2010-11(6) 
			 Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			 (a) Socio-economic group 
			  2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Least deprived 10% 4 6 10 16 26 99 122 208 335 405 
		
	
	
		
			 Less deprived 10-20% 7 12 10 18 40 103 151 267 483 491 
			 Less deprived 20-30% 8 7 26 23 51 137 176 280 486 591 
			 Less deprived 30-40% 12 26 21 30 52 141 181 340 542 653 
			 Less deprived 40-50% 14 17 31 25 52 152 233 329 689 722 
			 More deprived 40-50% 15 20 25 42 49 177 248 396 657 816 
			 More deprived 30-40% 23 15 38 42 88 188 276 449 794 943 
			 More deprived 20-30% 16 31 36 49 85 207 330 552 1,046 1,159 
			 More deprived 10-20% 19 23 50 63 87 270 424 619 1,123 1,232 
			 Most deprived 10% 26 42 53 68 102 295 432 649 1,068 1,094 
			 Unknown 7 7 10 12 2 11 25 54 113 135 
		
	
	
		
			 Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			 (b) Ethnic group 
			   2001-02(7) 2002-03(7) 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 A British (White) 61 93 168 197 341 974 1,511 2,755 5,275 5,979 
			 B Irish (White) — — 1 4 6 5 10 41 43 42 
			 C Any other White background — 6 5 13 15 42 68 108 263 275 
			 D White and Black Caribbean (Mixed) — — — 2 — 6 10 12 19 32 
			 E White and Black African (Mixed) — — — — 1 1 7 7 9 10 
			 F White and Asian (Mixed) — — — — — 2 4 4 10 9 
			 G Any other Mixed background  — 1 1 4 9 10 19 23 33 
			 H Indian (Asian or Asian British) — 2 — 3 4 9 13 27 71 68 
			 J Pakistani (Asian or Asian British) — — — 2 1 5 9 25 34 44 
			 K Bangladeshi (Asian or Asian British) — — — 1 — 1 3 3 12 12 
			 L Any other Asian background — 1 — 3 4 4 9 14 35 40 
			 M Caribbean (Black or Black British) 1 2 4 2 11 22 44 62 139 155 
			 N African (Black or Black British) — — 1 2 2 11 20 40 91 98 
			 P Any other Black background — — 2 6 7 17 18 43 130 131 
			 R Chinese (other ethnic group) — — — — — — — — 2 — 
			 S Any other ethnic group — 1 2 4 4 17 39 50 67 99 
			 X Not known — 6 14 21 40 244 317 175 119 249 
			 Z Not stated 20 83 112 127 194 411 506 758 994 965 
			 0 White 32 9 — — — — — — — — 
			 1 Black - Caribbean — 1 — — — — — — — — 
			 9 Not given 37 2 — — — — — — — — 
		
	
	
		
			 Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			 (c) Age group 
			 Age group 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 10-19 — — 1 3 2 10 24 29 34 37 
			 20-29 12 19 26 27 46 152 247 360 593 625 
			 30-39 52 63 98 135 188 491 703 1,055 1,761 1,806 
			 40-49 51 75 119 144 250 674 931 1,505 2,730 3,070 
			 50-59 30 40 62 71 124 383 575 956 1,716 2,070 
			 60-69 5 9 4 8 24 70 112 228 477 608 
			 70-79 — — — —  — 3 8 23 19 
			 80-120 — — — — — — 1 — — — 
			 Unknown 1 — — — — — 2 2 2 6 
		
	
	
		
			 (1) Finished Consultant Episode (FGE) A finished consultant episode (FCE) is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year. (2) Primary diagnosis The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. ICD-10 code used: E66—Obesity (3) Number of episodes with a (named) main or secondary procedure The number of episodes where the procedure (or intervention) was recorded in any of the 24 (12 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and four prior to 2002-03) procedure fields in a HES record. A record is only included once in each count, even if the procedure is recorded in more than one procedure field of the record. Note that more procedures are carried out than episodes with a main or secondary procedure. For example, patients under going a ‘cataract operation’ would tend to have at least two procedures—removal of the faulty lens and the fitting of a new one—counted in a single episode. The figures will not match previously published data, as revised clinical codes defining bariatric surgery have been used. OPCS-4 codes used: G27.1 Total gastrectomy and excision of surrounding tissue G27.2 Total gastrectomy and anastomosis of oesophagus to duodenum G27.3 Total gastrectomy and interposition of jejunum G27.4 Total gastrectomy and anastomosis of oesophagus to transposed jejunum G27.5 Total gastrectomy and anastomosis of oesophagus to jejunum NEC G27.8 Other specified total excision of stomach G27.9 Unspecified total excision of stomach G28.1 Partial gastrectomy and anastomosis of stomach to duodenum G28.2 Partial gastrectomy and anastomosis of stomach to transposed jejunum G28.3 Partial gastrectomy and anastomosis of stomach to jejunum NEC G28.4 Sleeve gastrectomy and duodenal switch G28.5 Sleeve gastrectomy NEC G28.9 Unspecified partial excision of stomach G30:1 Gastroplasty NEC G30.3 Partitioning of stomach using band G30.4 Partitioning, of stomach using staples G31.1 Bypass of stomach by anastomosis of oesophagus to duodenum G31.2 Bypass of stomach by anastomosis of stomach to duodenum G31.3 Revision of anastomosis of stomach to duodenum G31.4 Conversion to anastomosis of stomach to duodenum G31.5 Closure of connection of stomach to duodenum G31.6 Attention to connection of stomach to duodenum G31.8 Other specified connection of stomach to duodenum G31.9 Unspecified connection of stomach to duodenum G31.0 Conversion from previous anastomosis of stomach to duodenum G32.1 Bypass of stomach by anastomosis of stomach to transposed jejunum G32.2 Revision of anastomosis of stomach to transposed jejunum G32.3 Conversion to anastomosis of stomach to transposed jejunum G32.4 Closure of connection of stomach to transposed jejunum G32.5 Attention to connection of stomach to transposed jejunum G32.8 Other specified connection of stomach to transposed jejunum G32.9 Unspecified connection of stomach to transposed jejunum G32.0 Conversion from previous anastomosis of stomach to transposed jejunum G33.1 Bypass of stomach by anastomosis of stomach to jejunum NEC G33.2 Revision of anastomosis of stomach to jejunum NEC G33.3 Conversion to anastomosis of stomach to jejunum NEC G33.4 Open reduction of intussusception of gastroenterostomy G33.5 Closure of connection of stomach to jejunum NEC G33.6 Attention to connection of stomach to jejunum G33.8 Other specified other connection of stomach to jejunum G33.9 Unspecified other connection of stomach to jejunum G33.0 Conversion from previous anastomosis of stomach to jejunum NEC G38.7 Removal of gastric band G48.1 Insertion of gastric bubble G48.2 Attention to gastric bubble G71.6 Duodenal switch (4) Socio-economic group The socio-economic group used is derived from the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). IMD is a measure of multiple deprivation which ranks the relative deprivation of each area of England in a number domains (such as crime and income) and then combines the individual scores to produce a composite score for each area. The patient's residential postcode is then mapped to one of these areas and summarised into 10 groups for presentation The version of IMD used was published in 2004. See: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/131206.pdf for further details. (5) Ethnicity Ethnicity data may not be good enough to allow accurate analysis, including analysis of ethnic differences. Ethnic group was collected from 1 April 1995 to 31 March 2002 and ethnic category, using the definitions in the 2001 census, from 1 April 2002. Patients are asked to select their category from a standard list, and some decline to do this. Data may therefore be incomplete and of poor quality. (6) Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. (7 )There was a change in the ethnic categories during this period and while some providers adopted the new definitions others still used the old definition. Note: Data quality HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre

Oestrogen

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make an assessment of the amount of oestrogen in drinking tap water; and if he will make an assessment of the amount of oestrogen found in takeaway food.

Anne Milton: The Drinking Water Inspectorate, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), has carried out and published a risk assessment on endocrine disrupting chemicals, including oestrogen hormones. The most recent evidence shows that it is highly unlikely that these substances are present in drinking water. In addition, water companies are required by law to risk assess each water supply and to test the raw water for any substances that might be present at a level of concern to public health.
	Oestrogens are natural hormones and as such will be found in foods of animal origin such as meat, eggs and milk. Oestrogenic hormones are produced naturally by some plants. Very low levels of various synthetic chemicals with oestrogenic activity can also be present in some foods. Any takeaway food comprising one or more of these ingredients may contain traces of oestrogens. The Food Standards Agency has not conducted any survey to assess the levels of oestrogens in takeaway foods and has no plans to do so.

Departmental Administration Costs

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on the administration of his Department in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12.

Simon Burns: Administrative expenditure is published in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts. Figures for 2009-10 and 2010-11 were £227.2 million and £247.3 million respectively. Administration expenditure for 2011-12 will be published in the 2011-12 Annual Report and Accounts.

Organs: Donors

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many donated organs were discarded by the NHS in each financial year since 1997-98.

Anne Milton: The information requested is provided in the following table:
	
		
			 Organs donated in the United Kingdom for transplant but not used, April 1997 to March 2012 
			 Number 
			  Kidney Pancreas(1) Heart Lung Liver Total 
			 1997-98 70 20 9 52 34 185 
			 1998-99 84 7 12 54 37 194 
			 1999-2000 76 5 11 22 37 151 
			 2000-01 89 7 5 35 39 175 
			 2001-02 80 21 8 40 32 181 
			 2002-03 76 33 9 42 52 212 
			 2003-04 49 33 6 48 40 176 
			 2004-05 93 33 3 62 46 237 
			 2005-06 90 48 4 64 61 267 
		
	
	
		
			 2006-07 62 47 6 33 48 196 
			 2007-08 100 108 3 36 50 297 
			 2008-09 131 162 3 65 69 430 
			 2009-10 164 170 2 50 75 461 
			 2010-11 178 189 4 40 88 499 
			 2011-12 193 161 0 18 94 466 
			 Total 1,535 1,044 85 661 802 4,127 
			 (1) Including islets (since 2008-09). Source: NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). 
		
	
	
		
			 Reasons for non-use 
			  Percentage 
			 Organ 57.7 
			 Donor 9.3 
			 Recipient 2.7 
			 Logistical 1.2 
			 Other 29.2 
			 Source: NHSBT. 
		
	
	The introduction of the Organ Donation Taskforce recommendations has meant more families being approached and subsequently agreeing to donate their loved ones’ organs. This has resulted in a steady increase in the number of transplants in this country over the past seven years, and a 34% increase in deceased donation since 2007-08. However by approaching more potential donors this has also increased the number of donors whose organs are unsuitable for donation.
	The reason for non-use of organs is recorded as one of five categories. The most common reason is because of a problem with the organ itself, which on retrieval leads to the organ being classed as unsuitable for transplantation. Other reasons include a problem with the donor such as background checks highlighting a previous health condition; a problem with a recipient for example if they become too unwell for transplant to take place; or logistical issues such as the timeframe to get the organ to the recipient hospital being too short. Where the reason for not accepting an organ for transplant is more detailed than fits in the above categories or the reason is not clarified by the transplant centre, it is recorded as ‘other'.

Out-patients: Attendance

Daniel Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost to the NHS is of a missed out-patient appointment.

Simon Burns: No estimates have been made centrally of the cost to the NHS of missed out-patient appointments.

Palliative Care

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to support awareness of palliative care facilities and services.

Paul Burstow: We are continuing with the implementation of the Department's “End of Life Care Strategy”. The strategy recognises the importance of ensuring patients, carers and families have timely access to relevant information about conditions and services. Patients and carers should be appropriately assessed and offered a care plan, which will provide much of this information.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's “Quality Standard for End of life care for adults”, published in November 2011, sets out the importance of people approaching the end of life and their families and carers being provided with information and, for people approaching the end of life, being offered a personalised care plan.
	The NHS Choices website has a range of information on health and care services as well as information on health issues.
	www.nhs.uk

Palliative Care

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of palliative care in acute hospitals in England and Wales in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011.

Paul Burstow: This information is not collected centrally.
	For England, the Department conducted a special exercise to collect information on expenditure by primary care trusts on specialist palliative care for adults in 2010-11. These data include some information on expenditure in hospitals. However, as this is specialist palliative care only, it does not provide a full picture of palliative care expenditure in hospitals. These data are available on the Department's website:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_086277
	The health service in Wales is a devolved responsibility.

Palliative Care

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what requirements are placed on hospitals to inform next of kin when a “do not resuscitate” order is put in place; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: The British Medical Association, the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the Royal College of Nursing have issued a joint statement “Decisions relating to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (2007)”, which includes guidance on communication and discussion with patients, or those close to patients who lack capacity, around such complex and sensitive decisions, and can be found at:
	www.resus.org.uk/pages/dnar.htm
	The Department commends this guidance as an appropriate basis for hospital trusts to develop resuscitation policies.
	The General Medical Council has also published detailed guidance on making decisions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation in “Treatment and care towards the end of life: good practice in decision making (2010)”. This encompasses the discussions that doctors must consider when making decisions about cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This guidance can be found at:
	www.gmc-uk.org/End_of_life.pdf_32486688.pdf

Postgraduate Education: Fees and Charges

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department provided for postgraduate course fees at higher education institutions in England in 2011-12.

Anne Milton: This information is not collected by the Department.
	Postgraduate training covers a wide range of professions and may be funded by individual employers, the individual or through the multi-professional education and training budget dependent on the course undertaken.
	The MPET budget for 2012-13 is £4.9 billion. This budget funds education and training for health care professions, part of which covers postgraduate education and training for 44,649 medical trainees.
	MPET is not ring-fenced. Strategic health authorities (SHAs), in conjunction with their associated deaneries, higher educations institutes, primary care trusts and national health service trusts are responsible for commissioning the appropriate level of health care workforce training posts to meet the needs of the local population. It is the responsibility of SHAs to invest the budget appropriately, as local NHS organisations are best placed to assess the health needs of their local health community and plan the workforce they require to deliver services for patients.

Primary Care Trusts: North West

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been allocated to each primary care trust in the North West in 2012-13; and if he will estimate the funding that they would receive if age rather than deprivation had been the prime determinant of funding allocations.

Simon Burns: The revenue allocations made to primary care trusts (PCTs) in the North West in 2012-13 are provided in the following table.
	
		
			 PCT Total revenue allocations (£000) Growth in total revenue allocations (£000) Growth in total revenue allocations (%) 
			 Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT 589,137 16,064 2.8 
			 Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust Plus 298,192 8,084 2.8 
			 Blackpool PCX 301,794 8,205 2.8 
			 Bolton PCT 502,437 13,746 2.8 
			 Bury PCT 324,995 8,843 2.8 
			 Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT 745,929 20,305 2.8 
			 Central Lancashire PCT 791,192 21,515 2.8 
			 Cumbria Teaching PCT 893,078 24,404 2.8 
			 East Lancashire Teaching PCT 717,666 19,601 2.8 
			 Halton and St Helens PCT 615,521 16,845 2.8 
		
	
	
		
			 Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT 407,377 11,150 2.8 
			 Knowsley PCT 344,256 9,416 2.8 
			 Liverpool PCT 1,034,541 28,195 2.8 
			 Manchester PCT 1,061,585 29,076 2.8 
			 North Lancashire Teaching PCT 593,728 16,276 2.8 
			 Oldham PCT 434,044 11,866 2.8 
			 Salford PCT 489,352 13,300 2.8 
			 Sefton PCT 550,990 14,962 2.8 
			 Stockport PCT 495,946 13,471 2.8 
			 Tameside and Glossop PCT 441,929 11,988 2.8 
			 Trafford PCT 389,916 10,594 2.8 
			 Warrington PCT 334,239 9,104 2.8 
			 Western Cheshire PCT 427,388 11,638 2.8 
			 Wirral PCT 647,784 17,619 2.8 
			 Notes: 1. Total revenue allocations include PCT recurrent allocations and non-recurrent allocations for primary dental care, pharmaceutical services, general ophthalmic services and support for joint working between health and social care. 2. The weighted capitation formula was not applied for the PCT recurrent revenue allocations in 2012-13 and all PCTs received a uniform uplift. This was to allow PCTs stability in a year of transition. 
		
	
	Age is the primary determinant of an individual's need for health care along with other factors and these are reflected in the PCT allocations formula.
	It is not possible to estimate what allocations would have been under different formulae and different decisions on the pace of movement in allocations towards those determined by the formula; this would be little more than speculation.

Prostate Cancer

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consider including one and five-year survival rates for prostate cancer in the NHS Outcomes Framework.

Paul Burstow: The NHS Outcomes Framework is designed to be a balanced, high-level set of outcome goals that signal improving quality across the breadth of national health service services. We consulted fully on which indicators to include in it, and selected indicators across a range of population groups and health conditions.
	We considered including a specific indicator on prostate cancer but decided that it was not suitable, because one-year and five-year cancer survival can artificially be elevated by increased prostate specific antigen testing, without necessarily reducing mortality.
	However, the Outcomes Framework contains seven indicators on cancer, including the under-75 mortality rate from cancer, which covers prostate cancer alongside all other types of cancer.

Publications

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many publications have been issued by his Department since May 2010.

Simon Burns: In the period 1 May 2010 to 23 May 2012, there were 650 publications added to the Department’s website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/health/category/publications

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in each (a) socio-economic, (b) ethnic and (c) age group were diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease in each of the last 10 years.

Anne Milton: The data collected by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) on all acute sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by socio-economic deprivation, ethnicity and age group are available only for 2009 and 2010.
	The information is provided in tables 1, 2 and 3 as follows. Tables 1 and 2 contain data from genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics only as data by ethnicity and area of residence are not collected in all community settings reporting chlamydia data. Table 3 contains data from GUM clinics and also chlamydia diagnoses made in community settings in the 15 to 24-year-old age group.
	Acute STIs include the following diagnoses:
	Chlamydia (complicated and uncomplicated);
	Gonorrhoea (complicated and uncomplicated);
	Syphilis (primary, secondary and early latent);
	Genital Herpes simplex (first episode);
	Genital Warts (first episode);
	Non-specific genital infection/urethritis;
	Chancroid;
	Lymphogranuloma venerum (LGV);
	Donovanosis;
	Molluscum contagiosum;
	Trichomoniasis;
	Scabies; and
	Pediculus pubis.
	
		
			 Table 1: The number and rates of acute STIs by deprivation quintile using the Index of Multiple Deprivation, England, 2009-10 
			  Number Rates per 100,000 population 
			 Deprivation Quintile 2009 2010 2009 2010 
			 Most deprived 83,567 87,467 816.0 854.1 
			 2nd most deprived 74,028 75,350 718.0 730.8 
		
	
	
		
			 3rd most deprived 55,526 55,645 533.3 534.4 
			 4th most deprived 44,288 45,354 426.7 436.9 
			 Least deprived 38,523 39,224 368.1 374.8 
			 Notes: 1. Data are sourced from the Genitourinary Medicine Clinic Activity Dataset (GUMCAD) and are collected from all GUM clinics in England. 2. GUMCAD does not collect data on the socio-economic status of individuals. Data on the area of residence of patients attending GUM clinics are collected and this was used to assign each patient to a Lower Super Output Area (LSOA) in England. Deprivation was measured using the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) for each in England. All LSOAs were ranked according to the IMD score and assigned to quintiles (IMD group 1—least deprived; IMD group 5—most deprived). 3. LSOA data was not known for around 37,000 cases in 2009 and 17,000 cases in 2010 and so are excluded from the table. 4. The data available from the GUMCAD returns are the number of diagnoses made, not the number of patients diagnosed. 5. Rates per 100,000 population have been calculated using mid-2009 ONS population estimates. Source: Health Protection Agency, GUMCAD returns. Date of data: 24 May 2012. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: The number and rates of acute STIs by ethnic group, England, 2009-10 
			  Number Rates per 100,000 population 
			 Ethnicity 2009 2010 2009 2010 
			 White 244,571 236,938 539.7 522.9 
			 Black or Black British 33,829 32,602 2,223.5 2,142.9 
			 Asian or Asian British 10,338 10,695 326.4 337.7 
			 Mixed 11,696 11,638 1,222.5 1,216.5 
			 Other ethnic group 6,578 6,825 772.4 801.4 
			 Unknown 26,345 21,239 — — 
			 Total 333,357 319,937 643.4 617.5 
			 Notes: 1. Data are sourced from the Genitourinary Medicine Clinic Activity Dataset (GUMCAD) and are collected from all GUM clinics in England. 2. The data available from the GUMCAD returns are the number of diagnoses made, not the number of patients diagnosed. 3. Ethnicity was patient defined and was classified into standardised national health service categories. 4. Rates per 100,000 population have been calculated using mid-2009 ONS population estimates. Source: Health Protection Agency, GUMCAD returns. Date of data: 25 May 2012. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 3: The number and rates of acute STIs by age group, Englan, 2009-10 
			  Number Rates per 100,000 population 
			 Age group 2009 2010 2009 2010 
			 <15 668 601 54.7 49.1 
			 15 to 19 108,448 104,858 3,274.6 3,210.2 
			 20 to 24 153,343 152,661 4,314.3 4,233.8 
			 25 to 34 99,637 97,401 1,470.7 1,412.7 
			 35 to 44 38,523 37,386 506.2 500.5 
			 45 to 64 20,103 20,895 154.1 157.8 
			 65+ 1,151 1,238 13.6 14.4 
			 Unknown 104 145 — — 
			 Total 421,977 415,185 814.5 794.9 
			 Notes: 1. Data are spurced from the Genitourinary Medicine Clinic Activity Dataset (GUMCAD), National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) and non-GUM, non-NCSP returns. 2. The data available are the number of diagnoses made, not the number of patients diagnosed. 3. The 15 to 24-year-old age group also contains data on chlamydia diagnoses made in community settings. 4. The NCSP offers opportunistic chlamydia screening to those aged 15 to 24 years attending a variety of non-GUM clinic settings. 5. Rates per 100,000 population have been calculated using mid-2009 and mid-2010 ONS population estimates. Source: Health Protection Agency, GUMCAD returns, NCSP returns and non-GUM, non-NCSP returns. Date of data: 25 May 2012. 
		
	
	Prior to 2009 data on STIs were collected through the KC60 data returns. This was an aggregate data return and the data are not available in the requested breakdown. Data by age group are available for 2001 to 2010 for the following STIs only (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes, genital warts, and syphilis) and are included in table 4.
	
		
			 Table 4: The number of diagnoses for selected STIs by age group, England, 2001-10 
			 STI Age group- 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 Chlamydia <15 236 243 300 304 317 328 332 356 281 272 
			  15 to 19 17,294 20,580 23,158 25,375 25,975 26,115 28,479 64,755 71,603 70,946 
			  20 to 24 24,435 28,865 32,444 35,853 37,053 38,133 40,788 72,178 81,942 83,392 
			  25 to 34 18,747 20,007 20,898 22,318 23,181 24,534 26,280 27,123 26,160 25,242 
			  35 to 44 4,928 5,435 5,701 5,836 6,051 6,367 6,844 6,669 6,651 6,487 
			  45 to 64 1,125 1,245 1,328 1,556 1,747 1,903 2,227 2,405 2,608 2,807 
			  65+ 59 57 78 73 65 87 83 95 94 131 
			  Unknown 2,587 2,839 2,688 2,901 2,902 2,910 3,474 3,360 17 37 
			  Total 69,411 79,271 86,595 94,216 97,291 100,377 108,507 176,941 189,356 189,314 
			             
			 Gonorrhoea <15 72 96 85 62 71 49 60 47 47 42 
			  15 to 19 4,668 5,028 4,863 4,378 3,490 3,345 3,631 3,287 3,231 3,017 
			  20 to 24 6,094 6,701 6,661 5,839 4,978 4,791 4,952 4,334 4,826 4,941 
			  25 to 34 6,684 7,137 6,774 5,891 5,086 5,044 4,780 4,192 4,719 5,244 
			  35 to 44 3,091 3,413 3,352 2,963 2,672 2,526 2,205 1,800 2,123 2,293 
			  45 to 64 1,033 1,119 1,155 1,082 983 1,052 1,004 917 1,132 1,232 
			  65+ 57 52 51 60 42 63 42 36 60 54 
			  Unknown 499 577 405 394 310 321 445 372 6 12 
		
	
	
		
			  Total 22,198 24,123 23,346 20,669 17,632 17,191 17,119 14,985 16,144 16,835 
			             
			             
			 Anogenital herpes: first episode <15 47 38 46 31 35 33 56 67 55 46 
			  15 to 19 2,487 2,404 2,444 2,542 2,647 3,075 3,735 4,083 3,942 4,155 
			  20 to 24 4,298 4,518 4,337 4,382 4,748 5,336 6,481 7,073 7,685 8,206 
			  25 to 34 5,990 5,900 5,864 5,528 5,762 6,129 7,363 8,272 8,896 9,629 
			  35 to 44 2,604 2,894 2,870 2,788 2,699 3,027 3,588 3,991 4,114 4,485 
			  45 to 64 1,261 1,358 1,273 1,335 1,391 1,553 2,024 2,446 2,681 3,077 
			  65+ 88 74 68 84 82 93 138 154 158 190 
			  Unknown 31 73 1 4 15 8 102 8 5 6 
			  Total 16,806 17,259 16,903 16,694 17,379 19,254 23,487 26,094 27,536 29,794 
			             
			 Syphilis: primary, secondary and early latent <15 0 2 0 0 10 1 2 4 0 0 
			  15 to 19 23 43 52 62 102 108 88 76 115 85 
			  20 to 24 91 124 160 222 345 298 291 267 368 334 
			  25 to 34 261 409 539 642 758 686 685 582 904 844 
			  35 to 44 194 366 461 668 726 783 688 626 846 773 
			  45 to 64 90 162 222 316 406 382 417 423 583 556 
			  65+ 8 11 13 16 21 33 32 19 32 49 
			  Unknown 368 443 558 700 818 825 1,004 877 3 9 
			  Total 1,035 1,560 2,005 2,626 3,186 3,116 3,207 2,874 2,851 2,650 
			             
			 Anogenital warts: first episode <15 143 155 155 146 139 138 153 149 142 108 
			  15 to 19 11,383 11,518 12,192 13,220 13,490 14,225 15,653 16,364 15,973 14,463 
			  20 to 24 20,625 21,177 21,893 23,049 23,532 24,129 25,814 27,109 26,825 26,750 
			  25 to 34 19,756 19,885 19,689 19,977 20,014 20,157 21,593 22,141 22,119 21,587 
			  35 to 44 6,600 7,097 7,207 7,518 7,305 7,478 7,926 7,959 8,168 7,778 
			  45 to 64 2,702 2,754 2,986 3,108 3,171 3,358 3,632 4,109 4,252 4,368 
			  65+ 203 183 188 212 189 210 272 313 316 310 
			  Unknown 93 213 9 21 12 5 229 12 50 51 
			  Total 61,505 62,982 64,319 67,251 67,852 69,700 75,272 78,156 77,845 75,415 
			 Notes: 1. Data are sourced from the KC60 return (2001-08), Genitourinary Medicine Clinic Activity Dataset (GUMCAD) (2009-10), National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) and non-GUM, non-NCSP returns (2008-10). 2. The data available are the number of diagnoses made, not the number of patients diagnosed. 3. The chlamydia 15 to 24-year-old age group also contains data on chlamydia diagnoses made in community settings. 4. The NCSP offers opportunistic chlamydia screening to those aged 15 to 24 years attending a variety of non-GUM clinic settings. Source: Health Protection Agency, KC60 returns, GUMCAD returns, NCSP returns and non-GUM, non-NCSP returns.

Sickness Absence

Daniel Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rate of sickness absence was in each (a) NHS organisation and (b) non-NHS independent sector treatment centre in each year since 1997-98; and how many work days were lost in each, in each year.

Simon Burns: The information requested is not available.
	Sickness absence is not reported by the number of days’ absence because of the difficulty in defining a standard working day in the national health service. Different shift patterns and the 24-hour nature of employment in the NHS mean that a percentage of whole-time equivalents is the standard used to define levels of sickness absence data in the NHS.
	Sickness absence in the NHS is recorded in the electronic staff record system, in which the start and end of each absence by NHS staff is inputted. Every quarter since April 2009, the NHS Information Centre has calculated the national percentage of whole-time equivalents that the sum of these absences represents. The most recent figures for sickness absence can be found on the Information Centre website at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/workforce/sickness-absence
	Data prior to April 2009 are not available. Due to the inconsistent ways in which data were collected prior to this date, it is not possible to report accurate data before April 2009.
	The electronic staff record system only records data for NHS employees. As such there are no available sickness absence data for staff in non-NHS independent sector treatment centres.

Social Workers

Daniel Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many social care workers were (a) employed in and (b) recruited to the NHS in each year since 1997-98.

Paul Burstow: The number of social care workers is not collected centrally as social care workers are employed by local authorities and the voluntary sector in England and not by the national health service.
	Qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical (ST&T) staff in social services employed by the NHS in England are shown for every year since 2001 in the following table. Occupation codes for ST&T staff in the social services area of work were not introduced until 2001 so the figures were not collected prior to 2001.
	
		
			 NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified ST&T staff in the social services area of work in England by level as at 30 September each specified year 
			 Full-time equivalent 
			  2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 
			 England 14 105 216 553 813 1,022 1,054 1,332 1,497 1,700 1,667 
			             
			 Consultant therapist/scientist (1)— (1)— (1)— (1)— (1)— (1)— 1 1 2 1 3 
			 Manager 3 49 73 114 91 160 180 263 260 259 205 
			 Therapist 11 57 112 414 717 860 870 1,062 1,228 1,436 1,454 
			 Instructor/teacher (1)— (1)— 2 2 4 2 4 5 6 4 4 
			 Tutor (1)— (1)— 29 24 1 1 (1)— 1 1 (1)— (1)— 
			 (1) Zero. Notes: 1. ST&T—Scientific, Therapeutic and Technical. 2. Full-time equivalent figures are rounded to the nearest whole number. 3. Occupation codes for ST&T staff in the social services area of work were not introduced until 2001. The small numbers from 2001-04 are likely an under-representation of actual staff numbers until use of the code became established in later years. 4. ST&T staff in the social services area of work are former local authority social care staff who may be employed by primary care trusts and care trusts. These are staff who need to be (or work directly with) qualified social services staff to do their jobs within the organisation. For example social or youth workers, day-care advisers, child protection officers, family placement officers, rehabilitation staff, or handicapped service workers. (Note that this list is not exhaustive). 5. These staff are NOT to be confused with social services staff employed by local authorities working in areas such as child protection, homelessness and domestic abuse. Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census.

Surgery: Females

Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities have a policy of not operating on women aged over 35 years who have ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments.

Simon Burns: We are not aware that any commissioner in the English national health service has such a policy. We understand that there is some debate over the appropriate treatment for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, and that the choice between surgery and alternatives such as physiotherapy may depend on factors such as the patient's general level of health and activity. Where commissioners have a general policy to restrict access to certain treatments on the grounds of limited effectiveness, there should always be a transparent and well-publicised process to allow exceptions to be considered in individual cases.

Tranquilisers

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria his Department applies to determine whether patients are addicted to tranquilisers.

Anne Milton: The determination of a diagnosis of dependence is a clinical judgment.
	The system of classification commonly used by practitioners in the United Kingdom for such diagnoses is the International Classification of Diseases System (ICD-10), developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). ICD-10 notes that the substances may or may not have been medically prescribed and provides clear criteria for a diagnosis of tranquilliser dependence under code F13.2—Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of sedative hypnotics.
	These guidelines suggest that a cluster of three or more problems are required for a definite diagnosis of dependence. Anyone identified with a tranquilliser withdrawal syndrome who is showing two other listed problems would meet these ICD-10 criteria for dependence.

Tranquillisers: Misuse

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what dedicated withdrawal services are provided for involuntary tranquilliser addiction in (a) South Cambridgeshire, (b) Sutton and Cheam and (c) Chelmsford and Guildford constituency; and how many patients were successfully treated in each of those constituencies in each of the last three years.

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on recognition of involuntary tranquiliser addiction as a medical condition; what his Department's definition is of involuntary tranquiliser addiction; and what estimate his Department has made of the number of people diagnosed with involuntary tranquiliser addiction.

Anne Milton: The National Drug Strategy focuses on tackling all drugs of dependency, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Services should be responsive to the needs of the individual, irrespective of an individual's route to dependence.
	The determination of a diagnosis of dependence is a clinical judgment. It does not depend on the cause of dependence, although this would be a consideration in care planning.
	The system of classification commonly used by practitioners in the United Kingdom for such diagnoses is the International Classification of Diseases System (ICD-10), developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). ICD-10 gives clear criteria for a diagnosis of tranquilliser dependence under code F13.2—Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of sedative hypnotics.
	These guidelines suggest that a cluster of three or more problems are required for a definite diagnosis of dependence. Anyone identified with a tranquilliser withdrawal syndrome who is showing two other listed problems would meet these ICD-10 criteria for dependence.
	It has not been possible to establish a definite prevalence estimate of dependency on prescription or over-the- counter medicine. However, the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) does collect information on the numbers of people in structured treatment for drug dependence.
	The analyses for the report on Addiction to Medicine which was published by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse on 11 May 2011 identified NDTMS data about the treatment of people being treated for addiction to medicines. It is not possible to analyse NDTMS data by parliamentary constituency. Information recorded on NDTMS about numbers treated for addiction to medicine in the local drug partnerships which include the constituencies listed by the hon. Member for Heywood and Middleton (Jim Dobbin) is given in the following table.
	The columns headed "licit only" show the numbers of people treated for dependence to prescribed or over-the-counter medicine when there is no concurrent use of illicit drugs. The columns headed "licit and illicit" show the numbers of people treated for dependence who are using licit and illicit drugs concurrently. The methodology for analysing the NDTMS data is explained in Annex 1 of the NTA's report in May 2011.
	
		
			  Cambridgeshire Sutton Essex Surrey 
			  Licit only Licit and illicit Licit only Licit and illicit Licit only Licit and illicit Licit only Licit and illicit 
			 2009 35 141 7 70 58 266 78 207 
			 2010 34 137 6 83 62 290 75 239 
			 2011 32 149 13 80 61 333 78 267 
		
	
	Services to treat dependence are commissioned locally. Information about whether service providers organise clinics or sessions specifically for people addicted to medicine is not collected centrally.

Vaccination

Kevin Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether new vaccines will be included in the proposed value-based pricing scheme or continue to be procured via a tender process.

Simon Burns: In developing the value-based pricing system, the aim is to create a system that has the capability to include the broadest possible range of new medicines, thus minimising the need for parallel mechanisms. Notwithstanding this, we note that there may be instances where it is sensible to conclude that an individual medicine should not be assessed under value-based pricing. We will keep the situation under review. If, as our work progresses, it becomes clear that some medicines, such as vaccines, would be better dealt with under different arrangements, we will consider alternative options.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Equality and Human Rights Commission

Philip Davies: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what the average salary is at the Equality and Human Rights Commission for (a) ethnic minority staff, (b) white ethnic background staff, (c) men and (d) women, excluding the salary of the chairman.

Lynne Featherstone: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is an arm's length body; the following is based on information it has provided.
	Based on the salaries of EHRC employees(1) as at 31 March 2012, the average annual salary of the employee groups requested are:
	
		
			  £ 
			 (a) Black and minority ethnic(2) 33,800 
			 (b) White 36,800 
			 (c) Men 36,800 
			 (d) Women 36,000 
			 (1) This does not include the Chair or the Commissioners (other than the Chief Executive, an ex-officio Commissioner, who is included). (2) The EHRC calculates an overall average salary for all black and minority ethnic employees. It does not calculate average salaries for each ethnic group.

TREASURY

Banks

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely risks to the banking system of the financial situation in Spain.

Mark Hoban: Exposures of UK banks to the eurozone periphery are published in annual reports and are given at:
	www.bankofengland.co.uk/statistics/Documents/bankstats/2012/Apr/TabC4.2.xls
	The Treasury conducts contingency planning for the UK banking system on the basis of a range of possible scenarios, including possible adverse events in the eurozone.
	UK banks have taken action to strengthen their overall resilience and the FSA continues to monitor UK banks against stress conditions.

Banks

Ian Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information his Department holds on the proportion of UK bank customers who bank with (a) Barclays, (b) HSBC, (c) LloydsTSB and (d) RBS.

Mark Hoban: The Office of Fair Trading's report in 2008 into personal current accounts in the UK, provides information on the market shares of individual banks by number of customers. It is available online at:
	http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/reports/financial_products/OFT1005.pdf

Building Societies

Ian Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many building societies were registered in the UK in (a) 1985, (b) 1995, (c) 2005 and (d) 2011.

Mark Hoban: In 1985 there were 167 registered building societies. In 1995 there were 80, in 2005 there were 63 and in 2011 there were 47.

Business: Loans

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much finance has been allocated under the National Loan Guarantee scheme in each region and constituent part of the UK in the last 12 months;
	(2)  how many businesses have accessed finance from the National Loan Guarantee scheme in each region and constituent part of the UK in the last 12 months.

Mark Hoban: The National Loan Guarantee scheme launched on 20 March 2012 and is currently being rolled out across the UK by the participating banks.

Business: Loans

Alistair Darling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Bank of England's quantitative easing programme on bank lending to small business; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: The independent Monetary Policy Committee's (MPC) policy tools, including quantitative easing (QE), are macroeconomic policy tools designed to affect the economy as a whole, in order to meet the 2% inflation target over the medium term.
	The Bank of England estimates in its September 2011 Quarterly Bulletin that QE has raised spending and activity in the UK economy in order to help hit the inflation target in the medium term. The Quarterly Bulletin article also notes that given the strains in the financial system, the MPC expected little impact through the bank lending channel.
	The Government recognises that the flow of credit to smaller businesses is constrained and ongoing pressures on bank funding are affecting borrowing costs. In order to address these pressures, the Government launched the £20 billion National Loan Guarantee Scheme on 20 March to lower the cost of bank loans for smaller businesses and expanded the Business Finance Partnership to £1.2 billion at Budget 2012 to encourage the development of non-bank lending channels for SMEs and mid-sized businesses.

Child Benefit

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of child benefit fraud his Department investigated in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012.

David Gauke: holding answer 21 May 2012
	The information requested is detailed in the following table:
	
		
			 Tax year Number of cases of child benefit fraud investigated. 
			 2009-10 10,106 
			 2010-11 15,533 
			 2011-12 14,102 
			 2012-13 to date 1,487 
		
	
	In 2010 HM Revenue and Customs carried out more interventions on current awards as wel1 as validating information to prevent fraudulent claims from entering the system.
	HM Revenue and Customs also work collaboratively with other Government Departments to identify individuals who are not entitled to child benefit.

Child Benefit

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much funding he has allocated to the marketing of changes to child benefit for higher rate taxpayers.

David Gauke: The cost of marketing changes to child benefit for taxpayers with income over £50,000 is estimated at £1 million per annum as set out in the Tax Information and Impact Note (TUN) which was published on HMRC's website:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk

Child Benefit

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Office for National Statistics on whether the payments to be made to HM Revenue and Customs by higher rate taxpayers in receipt of child benefit are to be classified as a tax.

David Gauke: This is a decision solely for the independent Office for National Statistics.

Community Development

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has undertaken on the effect on community groups of the removal of the zero rate of VAT for alterations to listed buildings in community ownership.

David Gauke: The impacts are set out in “Annex B—Table of Impact for Individual Measures” of the HM Revenue & Customs consultation document “VAT: Addressing borderline anomalies” published in Budget 2012.
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/vat-con-4801.pdf
	The consultation closed on 18 May 2012. HM Revenue and Customs is now analysing the responses and a response document will be published before legislation is laid before Parliament in the summer.

Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters to Ministers in his Department were (a) not answered, (b) not answered within six months and (c) not answered within three months in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how many such letters were from hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: The information is as follows:
	
		
			 Number 
			  2010 2011 
			 Total letters answered 10,811 14,453 
			 Not answered 0 0 
			 Not answered within six months 31 3 
			 Not answered within three months 851 78 
		
	
	The table above provides data for the most recent available calendar years. The Treasury is unable to provide data by financial year, or on the number of letters received from hon. Members. This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	On an annual basis the Cabinet Office publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members correspondence. The report for 2011 was published on 15 March 2012, Official Report, columns 30-33WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House.

Crown Estate

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2012, Official Report, column 422W, on the Crown Estate, if he will publish the minutes of the Crown Estate's remuneration committee since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: The Crown Estate plans to begin publishing minutes of its remuneration committee meetings on its website shortly. The first set of minutes to be published will relate to spring 2010. Minutes will be published retrospectively as they may touch on policy development and personal information.
	As set out in the answer I gave the hon. Member on 21 May 2012, Official Report, column 422W, detailed information on director and board member remuneration is already published in The Crown Estate's annual report.

Debts Written Off

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much bad debt was written off by his Department in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: The Treasury did not write off any bad debts in 2010-11 or 2011-12.

Disclosure of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on the updating of published data in line with the Government's transparency agenda in each month since September 2011.

Chloe Smith: The Treasury's work on the Government's transparency agenda is part of the day to day activities of a number of departmental staff engaged in data preparation. Therefore the cost of publishing the transparency element of this work on a monthly basis since September 2011 is not separately identifiable.

Empty Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many buildings owned by his Department and the bodies for which he is responsible have been empty for more than two years; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: None.

Equitable Life Assurance Society: Leicester

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received on Equitable Life from policy holders resident in Leicester South constituency.

Mark Hoban: The Treasury does not hold a breakdown of the number of representations received on Equitable Life from Leicester South constituents.

Excise Duties: Fraud

Michael Fallon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of revenue lost due to excise duty fraud in each of the last five years.

Chloe Smith: HMRC estimates losses in revenue associated with illicit sales of beer, spirits, tobacco products and oils. These are published in “Measuring Tax Gaps 2011”, which is available online at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/measuring-tax-gaps.htm
	For beer, more recent and improved estimates were published in “Improved Beer Tax Gap Estimate: Lower Bound”, which is available online at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/beer-tax-gap-feb2012.pdf

Tax Returns: Confidentiality

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he sought legal advice on the compatability of Schedule 1, paragraph 2 to the Finance (No. 4) Bill 2012 with the principle of confidentiality outlined in section 18 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005; and whether he consulted on that issue.

David Gauke: The Government's position is that HMRC has the function of collecting the high income child benefit charge, which a taxpayer will need to notify HMRC about by way of their tax return. The disclosure to the taxpayer of very limited information that directly impacts on their own tax or child benefit position, and which is for the purpose of completing their tax return is a disclosure made for the purposes of HMRC's functions.
	There was no consultation on this issue. Having carefully examined all of the possible options, this is the best possible design.

Industrial and Provident Societies Act 2002

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  on which occasions the power under section 2 of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 2002 has been utilised; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will assess the further potential for using powers under section 2 of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 2002 to reduce administrative burdens for co-operatives; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: The Government have not used the power under section 2 of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 2002. The Government will keep this position under review.
	The Government are, however, committed to promoting mutuals and fostering diversity within financial services. They have taken a number of steps to support this aim. In January 2012, the Legislative Reform Order (LRO) came into effect. The LRO reduces administrative burdens on co-operatives, and allows credit unions to draw their members from a wider base, removing restrictions on their growth.
	The Government also announced in January that they will introduce a Co-operatives Consolidation Bill. This will put all legislation for co-operatives in one place, removing barriers to setting up a co-operative.

Interest Rates

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the IMF's suggestion that the Bank of England should reassess the efficacy of cutting interest rates below 0.5%; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: Decisions on setting bank rate, and the additional monetary policy tool of asset purchases financed by the issuance of central bank reserves, are for the independent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) based on its judgment on the balance of risks to meeting the inflation target in the medium term.

JP Morgan

Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the potential effect on (a) future availability of mortgage finance and (b) the cost of such finance of JP Morgan's purchases of British residential mortgage-backed securities; and what action he is planning to take to safeguard the UK mortgage market in the event that JP Morgan's trading operations are curtailed.

Mark Hoban: The Treasury, the Bank of England and the FSA continue to work with industry to explore ways of encouraging more sustainable, transparent and standardised UK mortgage-backed securities markets in order to lay the foundations for stronger markets in the future. The cost and availability of mortgages is a commercial decision for individual banks and building societies.

Departmental Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what target he has set to reduce headcount across his Department, its non-departmental public bodies and executive agencies in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: The Government have not set targets to reduce headcount across HM Treasury, its non-departmental public bodies or Executive agencies. Work force implications of the spending review settlement depend on internal budget allocations and subsequent management decisions.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to answer the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton (Sir Gerald Kaufman) of 26 March 2012 with regard to Mr Shaun Gordon.

David Gauke: I have replied to the right hon. Member.

Mutual Societies

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of full-time equivalent staff who will transfer from his Department, its non-departmental public bodies and Executive agency workforce to a mutual in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: There are no plans for the transfer of HM Treasury staff to a mutual in 2011-12 or 2012-13.

National Insurance Contributions

Anne-Marie Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the number of businesses that have participated in the national insurance holiday.

David Gauke: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on National Insurance Contributions, 14 May 2012, Official Report, column 43W.

Non-domestic Rates: Public Houses

David Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to harmonise business rates for public houses from pub turnover basis to the normal ground rates applicable to other small business premises.

David Gauke: All non-domestic property has a rateable value assigned to it for business rates purposes which is equivalent to one common measure—rental value—whether it is an office, shop, factory or public house. Rateable values for pubs are based on actual rents although those rents are analysed alongside turnover to ensure similar pubs are treated equally. This methodology has been agreed with the British Beer and Pub Association.
	This uniform basis ensures consistency and fairness in the way all non-domestic property is valued for rating.

PAYE

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters have been sent to individuals on incorrect payment of PAYE tax since March 2011; and whether his Department has made an estimate of the number likely to be sent in the next 12 months.

David Gauke: HMRC does not hold the information requested and could supply figures only at disproportionate cost.

PAYE

Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer of 30 April 2012, Official Report, column 1197W, on PAYE, what steps his Department is taking to reconcile payment information for employees who are paid using internet banking.

David Gauke: HMRC is not planning to reconcile PAYE real time information (RTI) sent to HMRC, with the related payment to the employee's bank account, where employees are paid using internet banking during the real time information (RTI) pilot year or when RTI is first implemented after the pilot.
	Reconciliation of RTI with related payments to the employees' bank accounts will be undertaken where employees are paid by direct credit using a Bacs Service User Number. This payment method is used for the majority of payments subject to PAYE. The reconciliation will be facilitated by a cross reference in the payment instruction.
	Over time, HMRC may extend the requirement for a cross reference to other electronic payment methods.

Peers: Allowances

Chris Bryant: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost was of Peers' allowances to the public purse in each year from 2000 to 2011.

Danny Alexander: This is not HM Government's responsibility. The House of Lords is responsible for Peers' allowances. Information on this is published regularly by Parliament on the parliamentary website:
	http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/members-allowances/house-of-lords/holallowances/hol-expenses04/
	While it is the case that the House of Lords Supply Estimate is formally presented to Parliament by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, together with most other Supply Estimates, the Treasury has no formal control over, or responsibility for, the House of Lords expenditure thereby Voted. This reflects Parliament's independence from the Executive.

Personal Service Company Arrangements

David Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps HM Revenue and Customs takes to check that individuals are genuinely involved in a business which would allow them to have personal service company arrangements instead of PAYE.

David Gauke: HMRC has no role to play in considering whether or not an individual is providing their services through a personal service company.
	HMRC does police the Intermediaries legislation (more commonly referred to as IR35). This legislation requires intermediaries, such as personal service companies, to deduct income tax and national insurance contributions from income received by the company in respect of payments to it which would otherwise have been employment income of the individual and to do so according to a statutory formula.
	HMRC carries out compliance activity on a risk basis to ensure that intermediaries are complying with the requirements of IR35.That compliance activity has recently been strengthened following the Office of Tax Simplification's review of IR35 and the Government's announcement at Budget 2011 that the administration of IR35 would be improved.

Personal Service Company Arrangements

David Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of personal service company arrangements in the private sector.

David Gauke: No such estimate is available.

Personal Service Company Arrangements

David Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will require HM Revenue and Customs to interview those applying for a personal service company arrangement in order to assess that it is genuine.

David Gauke: HMRC has no role to play in considering whether or not an individual is providing their services through a personal service company or in whether or not that is an appropriate working arrangement.
	HMRC's role is to ensure that those providing their services through personal service companies comply with the relevant tax and national insurance obligations and that includes compliance with the Intermediaries legislation (commonly known as IR35) as appropriate.
	Personal service companies are legitimate commercial arrangements. The Government recognises this and wants to support genuine entrepreneurial activity.

Personal Service Company Arrangements

David Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount a person would save annually in income tax if they earned annually (a) £1,000,000, (b) £750,000, (c) £500,000, (d) £400,000, (e) £300,000, (f) £250,000, (g) £200,000, (h) £150,000 and (i) £100,000 and instead of PAYE, they had a personal service company arrangement.

David Gauke: It is not possible to provide reliable estimates because there are too many variables to take into consideration including what amount of payrolled salary a person might be taking out of the personal service company, what employer and employee national insurance contributions need to be paid, what dividends are being paid and to who, what expenses might be allowable, the handing of profits retained within the personal service company, etc.
	Even if such estimates were possible, focusing exclusively on the tax difference (“saving”) without considering all such other factors would present an unbalanced and misleading comparison.
	Working through a personal service company is a perfectly legitimate commercial arrangement and there is no presumption that someone working in this way is necessarily achieving income tax “savings” by doing so.

Publications

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many publications have been issued by his Department since May 2010.

Chloe Smith: Since May 2010, the Treasury has issued 258 publications, which are all available on its website.

Publications

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) circulars and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department in each of the last two years.

Chloe Smith: The Treasury has issued no circulars and 77 consultations in the last two years.

Revenue and Customs: Customer Services

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average (a) call waiting time and (b) number of staff allocated to respond to calls was for HM Revenue and Customs PAYE tax code helpline 0845 3000 627 in each month of the last two years.

David Gauke: holding answer 23 May 2012
	The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 Average waiting time (m:ss)(1) 
			  2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 April 6:48 7:37 8:37 
			 May 5:58 6:31 — 
			 June 5:58 4:29 — 
			 July 5:48 6:11 — 
			 August 4:58 4:29 — 
			 September 3:43 2:40 — 
			 October 2:21 3:15 — 
			 November 2:39 4:19 — 
			 December 3:46 6:48 — 
		
	
	
		
			 January 7:03 7:33 — 
			 February 6:14 7:46 — 
			 March 7:55 6:43 — 
			 (1) Average waiting time is defined as the time taken for a call to be answered by an adviser once a customer has selected an option from the call steering menu. 
		
	
	Calls to HMRC from customers telephoning 0845 300 0627 are routed through a virtual network of centrally managed contact centres to advisers who also handle calls from customers telephoning other HMRC helplines (for example, the self-assessment helpline). Consequently HMRC are unable to disaggregate the number of advisers dealing with queries from customers telephoning 0845 300 0627 from those dealing with queries on other HMRC helplines.

Revenue and Customs: Customer Services

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the number of callers to HM Revenue and Customs PAYE tax code helpline 0845 3000 627 waiting to be answered at any one time was (a) on average and (b) at its peak in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Gauke: holding answer 23 May 2012
	For April 2012, the information requested is as follows:
	(a) Average—1,323 callers.
	(b) Peak (highest number at any one time)—2,212 callers.
	For April 2012, HMRC contact centres handled 1.1 million calls to the PAYE helpline.
	HMRC contact centres handle around 60 million calls per annum using a sophisticated telephone platform and technology that is standard across large contact centre operations and is designed to be robust and flexible when dealing with large numbers of incoming telephone calls.

Revenue and Customs: Customer Services

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer of 1 May 2012, Official Report, column 1534W, on the Behavioural Sciences Unit, what the change in wording in letters sent out by HM Revenue and Customs that led to savings of £30 million a year was; and how much the research that led to the change cost.

David Gauke: The change in the wording of letters was one of several interventions carried out by the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) and Government Departments. These interventions are set out in the report ‘Applying behavioural insights to reduce fraud, error and debt’, available on the Cabinet Office website. The wording of the letters in question was changed to highlight the fact that ‘9 out of 10 people in Britain pay their tax on time’. The costs of the research consisted solely of the time spent developing the letters by members of BIT and the Debt Management and Banking division in HMRC. All the people involved were full-time civil servants, carrying out their core role to improve performance, so there were no additional costs involved.

Revenue and Customs: Customer Services

Michael Fallon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many UK HM Customs and Revenue officers are based in China; and how many have been based in China in each of the last five years.

David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) currently has two officers based in China. In the last five years HMRC has had the following number of officers based in China:
	2011: one officer;
	2010: four officers;
	2009: two officers; and
	2008: two officers.

Revenue and Customs: Customer Services

Simon Hart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much income was generated by the HM Revenue and Customs' helpline in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011.

David Gauke: I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Philip Davies), on 6 July 2010, Official Report, column 185W and to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Cathy Jamieson), on 17 May 2012, Official Report, column 301W.

Royal Bank of Canada

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Royal Bank of Canada falls within the remit of the Independent Banking Commission.

Mark Hoban: The Treasury will issue a White Paper on 14 June setting out the Government's final proposals on the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) recommendations. This will include details on the scope of the retail ring fence and other banking reform measures.
	The Treasury does not comment on the individual cases or circumstance of specific banks.

Royal Bank of Canada

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to investigate allegations of wrongdoing at the Royal Bank of Canada.

Mark Hoban: The investigation of alleged wrongdoing is a matter for the Financial Services Authority (FSA), whose day-to-day operations are independent from government control and influence. I have asked the FSA to write to the hon. Member with the information requested. A copy of the response will be placed in the Library of the House.

Tax Allowances: Charitable Donations

Helen Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish his assessment of the cost to charities of limiting tax reliefs which individuals can claim.

David Gauke: The Government announced at Budget 2012 a proposal to introduce a limit on previously uncapped income tax reliefs from April 2013.
	As set out in the Budget, the Government are exploring with charities and philanthropists ways to ensure that this measure does not impact significantly on charities that depend on large donations.
	A consultation document on the implementation of the policy will be published in the summer.

Tax Avoidance

David Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to prevent UK-based nationals from using offshore arrangements to minimise their income tax;
	(2)  if he will estimate the number of UK-based nationals who use offshore arrangements for income tax purposes;
	(3)  if he will ensure that no UK-based national may be an adviser to himself or any other Minister if the individual has offshore arrangements for income tax purposes; and if he will make a statement.

David Gauke: The Government is committed to tackling all forms of avoidance and evasion and ensuring everyone pays their fair share of tax. HMRC has worked to address the specific risks presented by offshore arrangements by enhancing its compliance work, extending the UK's network of bilateral agreements with foreign jurisdictions and exploiting new sources of information obtained from overseas. Examples of those efforts include:
	Compliance work. The Liechtenstein Disclosure Facility (LDF) was signed in August 2009 and will run from 1 September 2009 to 6 April 2016. UK residents with bank accounts in Liechtenstein are now being invited to declare unpaid tax liabilities to HMRC. Those who do not come forward face their accounts being closed or having tax deducted from their balances. Registrations for this facility are currently running ahead of expectations and the expected yield, originally projected to be £1 billion, could be up to £3 billion.
	New bilateral agreements. The. UK and Switzerland have signed an historic agreement to tackle offshore tax evasion. The agreement is expected to recover billions of pounds of unpaid tax and the long-running problem of offshore tax evasion using Swiss bank accounts will be addressed.
	Exploiting new sources of information. A new dedicated unit to exploit new sources of offshore data became fully operational from 1 November 2011. The Offshore Coordination Unit comprises skilled investigators and other specialists who are using the improved data about offshore accounts available to HMRC, and co-ordinating the range of HMRC efforts to combat offshore tax evasion.
	We currently hold no estimate of the number of UK-based nationals who use offshore arrangements for income tax purposes. It is not possible to derive an accurate estimate of the total number of UK nationals who use offshore arrangements for income tax purposes due to their nature and complexity.
	As a result of the review of the tax arrangements of public sector appointees, new tighter rules governing ‘off payroll’ appointments in central Government will be brought in this year. This will enable Government employers to assure themselves that their senior staff are meeting their tax obligations.

Vaccination

Kevin Barron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  when he expects the development of techniques for direct social cost benefit analysis to be completed; and when he expects such techniques to form part of the Green Book;
	(2)  what his policy is on the inclusion of vaccines in societal cost-benefit analysis;
	(3)  whether he plans to review the discount rate in the Green Book; and what methodology his Department would use to review the discount rate in the Green Book;
	(4)  if he will consider including vaccines in the next edition of the Green Book.

Danny Alexander: The information requested is as follows.
	Techniques for direct social cost benefit analysis
	Social Cost benefit analysis is already the preferred method for quantifying as far as is reasonable and proportionate the social welfare of all alternative spending proposals. The Green Book provides Government guidance on the methods and techniques to be used to assess the effects of public spending and regulatory proposals. It is technical guidance in the same way as accounting practices and it together with its supplements, provides a high level framework within which individual Departments and public bodies develop more detailed guidance on the application of the general principles to their area of specialist concern.
	Inclusion of vaccines in societal cost benefit analysis
	Vaccines as with other medical procedures currently fall within the arrangements referred to in the answer above.
	Review of the Green Book discount rate
	All aspects of the Green Book methodology are considered periodically to ensure that they remain appropriate and reflective of informed academic and professional thinking as applied to the economics of public sector spending decisions. There are currently no plans to amend the social discount rate.
	Including vaccines in the next edition of the Green Book
	Specific spending items such as vaccines do not need to be specifically identified in the Green Book as they are covered by its application to the assessment of all public spending options.

VAT: Listing Buildings

Helen Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will publish his assessment of the effect on charities which are not places of worship of his decision to withdraw the VAT zero rate of alterations to listed buildings; [R]
	(2)  if he will estimate the cost to colleges in Oxford and Cambridge universities of his decision to withdraw VAT at the zero rate from alterations to listed buildings.

David Gauke: Annex B—Tables of Impact for Individual Measures in HM Revenue & Customs consultation document “VAT: Addressing Borderline Anomalies”, published at Budget 2012, sets out estimates for VAT which will be raised from approved alterations to listed buildings and a summary of impacts:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/vat-con-4801.pdf
	No further breakdown of the information is available.

VAT: Listing Buildings

David Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the financial effects of his proposals for VAT on caravans on the holidays and parks homes industry.

David Gauke: The impacts are set out in “Annex B—Table of Impact for Individual Measures” of the HM Revenue and Customs consultation document “VAT: Addressing borderline anomalies” published in Budget 2012:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/vat-con-4801.pdf

VAT and Excise Duties

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total yield from (a) VAT and (b) excise duty was in each of the last two years.

David Gauke: Total tax revenues from VAT and excise duties (including fuel, tobacco, alcohol, air passenger duty, insurance premium tax, landfill tax, climate change levy, and aggregates levy) are published monthly by HMRC, available at;
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax_receipts/tax-receipts-and-taxpayers.pdf

VAT: Bakery Products

Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  whether he has received any representations from bakeries of the cost incurred from changing their heated cabinets as a result of the planned changes to VAT on freshly baked goods;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the potential effects on employment in bakeries of the changes proposed in Budget 2012 to charge VAT on freshly baked goods.

David Gauke: In answer to your question about cost the impacts are set out in “Annex B—Table of Impact for Individual Measures” of the HM Revenue and Customs consultation document “VAT: Addressing borderline anomalies” published in Budget 2012.
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/vat-con-4801.pdf
	With regards to representations the consultation closed on 18 May. HM Revenue and Customs is now analysing the responses and a response document will be published before legislation is laid before Parliament in the summer.

VAT: Bakery Products

John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on the number of people employed in bakeries of the introduction of VAT on freshly baked goods.

David Gauke: The impacts are set out in Annex B—‘Table of Impact for Individual Measures’ of the HM Revenue and Customs consultation document ‘VAT: Addressing borderline anomalies’, published in Budget 2012:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/vat-con-4801.pdf

VAT: Caravans

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish draft legislation on static caravan holiday homes.

David Gauke: The Government will publish draft legislation later in the summer.

Working Tax Credit

Ann Coffey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in order to achieve the savings set out in the Budget 2012 Red Book for 2012-13 of £550 million from an increased working tax credit requirement for couples with children, what assumptions he made about the number of families who would not be able to increase their hours to meet the new requirement.

Chloe Smith: holding answer 23 May 2012
	In the spending review 2010, the policy costing for increasing the working hours requirement for couples with children from 16 to 24 hours assumed a net 6% reduction to the yield of the policy to account for behavioural responses which included, among other things, the effect of households increasing their hours and those misreporting their hours. The OBR forecasts, published on 21 March 2012, include any wider indirect effects of the policy.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many letters to Ministers in his Department were (a) not answered, (b) not answered within six months and (c) not answered within three months in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how many such letters were from hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), can confirm the following:
	There were no letters unanswered in 2010-11.
	There are 161 cases in 2011-12 where a letter is currently being drafted and 37 of these are from hon. Members.
	With respect to parts (b) and (c):
	(i) 2010-11
	= three months = 817 letters, of which 126 were from hon. Members.
	= six months = 16 letters, of which two were from hon. Members.
	(ii) 2011-12
	= three months = 412 letters, of which 115 were from hon. Members.
	= six months = one letter, of which none were from hon. Members.
	The Department receives a number of letters that do not require a response, such as post card campaigns, or letters for information only. These letters are therefore closed as ‘No Response Necessary’ and have not been included in these figures.

Disclosure of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department spent on the updating of published data in line with the Government's transparency agenda in each month since September 2011.

Gregory Barker: DECC does not record detailed costs of updating published data in line with the Government's transparency agenda. However, we have estimated that costs are in the region of £250,000 per year. Although' these cannot be broken down into precise monthly expenditure, based on the estimated annual spend this would equate to approximately £187,500 for the period from September 2011 to May 2012 inclusive.

Electricity

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many people are seconded to his Department to work on electricity market reform; and from where they are seconded.

Charles Hendry: There are currently four people seconded to work on electricity market reform, from Ofgem, National Grid, KPMG and Barclays.

Electricity

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many people have been seconded to his Department to work on electricity market reform since May 2010; and from where they are seconded.

Charles Hendry: Since May 2010, 10 people have been seconded to work on electricity market reform, from the following organisations: Deloitte, Ofgem (two secondees), National Grid, Bright Futures NZ Ltd/PA Consulting, Xero Energy Ltd, KPMG (two secondees), Barclays, and Cambridge university.

Electricity: Meters

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on the development of a common language between smart appliances and the smart grid.

Charles Hendry: The smart metering system will employ open standards for communication within the home. These should be extensible to support smart appliances and the smart grid.

Electricity: Prices

Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the answer of 20 December 2011, Official Report, column 1160W, on electricity: prices, what his latest estimate is of the (a) likely and (b) maximum possible effect on the average household electricity bill by 2020 of not implementing the Government's reductions to feed-in-tariffs for (i) small-scale solar PV introduced after the comprehensive review and (ii) large-scale solar PV introduced after the fast track review.

Gregory Barker: We estimate that not implementing the changes to tariffs for large scale (greater than 50 kW) solar PV in the fast track review would have added approximately £10 (2010 prices, undiscounted) to the average domestic energy bill in 2020. This is based on the estimate of the cost to consumers under the ‘Do Nothing' option in the Fast Track Review impact assessment:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Consultations/fits-review/fast-track-review-announcement-impact-assessment.pdf
	Further changes were made to the tariffs for all sizes of solar PV installations in Phases 1 and 2A of the Comprehensive Review of Feed-in Tariffs. The Impact Assessment accompanying the Government Response to Phase 1 of the review estimated that with no changes to policy, support for solar PV under FITs would add £61 per annum to typical household electricity bills in 2020 (2010 prices, undiscounted). The Impact Assessment accompanying the Government Response to Phase 2A of the review estimated that with the policy changes, support for solar PV under FITs would add £9 per annum to typical household electricity bills in 2020 (2010 prices, undiscounted). The net impact of not making these changes would therefore have been £52.
	We have not made separate estimates for the impact of changes to tariffs for large-scale and small-scale installations.
	These Impact Assessments are available at the following URLs:
	Fast track:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/consultations/fits-review/fast-track-review-announcement-impact-assessment.pdf
	Phase 1:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/consultations/fits-review/4310-feedintariff-comprehensive-review-phase-1-impact.pdf
	Phase 2A:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/ll/meeting-energy-demand/renewable-energy/5391-impact-assessment-government-response-to-consulta.pdf

Electricity: Wales

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what capacity of new electricity generation above 50 megawatts is expected to be built in Wales in the next five years.

Charles Hendry: The best indicator for estimating the capacity of new electricity generation over 50 megawatts (MW) that could be built in Wales in the next five years, is provided by the Department of Energy and Climate Change's (DECC) database of existing planning applications and National Grid's Transmission Entry Capacity (TEC) Register.
	Based on National Grid data, there are two generating stations under construction in Wales with a capacity greater than 50 MW. One is soon to be commissioned and the other is still being built. Once fully commissioned, they would have a maximum total capacity of around 2,674 MW. More details can be found at:
	http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Electricity/Getting Connected/ContractedGenerationInformation/TransmissionEntry CapacityRegister/
	DECC's database of existing planning applications shows that there are currently an additional four proposed generating stations in Wales with a capacity greater than 50 MW that have been granted consent, but are not yet under construction. If built, they would have a maximum total capacity of 1,818 MW. More details can be found at:
	https://www.og.decc.gov.uk/EIP/pages/recent.htm
	There are currently six applications for consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 in Wales for generating stations with a capacity greater than 50 MW with of maximum total capacity of 653 MW. More details can be found at
	https://www.og.decc.gov.uk/EIP/pages/applications.htm
	There is currently one application for consent under the Planning Act 2008 for a generating station in Wales with a capacity greater than 50 MW, which has a maximum total capacity of 84 MW. More details can be found at:
	http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/Wales/Brechfa-Forest-West-Wind-Farm/
	At this stage, some of these stations are only at application stage and therefore it is possible that not all of the proposed stations will be built. Some may not be granted consent and even where consent is granted, some stations may not be built. Furthermore, some of these proposed stations may not be built within the next five years.
	The total capacity figures quoted are based on the maximum output as estimated by the developers placing the application.

Electricity: Wales

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the building of new electricity generation above 50 megawatts in Wales.

Charles Hendry: Ministers in the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), including the Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), have regular discussions with the Welsh Government on a range of issues, including energy infrastructure consenting. Officials in DECC also have regular discussions on such matters with Welsh Government officials. Given the quasi-judicial role of DECC Ministers in determining applications for new electricity generating stations above 50 megawatts in Wales, the propriety rules limit the ability of Ministers (and officials) to discuss the details of specific schemes. DECC has published guidance on this(1). On all such applications made under the Planning Act 2008 and likely to affect land in Wales, the Welsh Government is a statutory consultee.
	(1) http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/meeting-energy-demand/consents-planning/3908-propriety-guidance-develop-consents.pdf

Empty Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will list the empty or largely empty buildings owned by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change owns no empty or largely empty buildings.

Empty Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many buildings owned by his Department and the bodies for which he is responsible have been empty for more than two years; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: The only empty buildings held by the Department or the bodies for which it is responsible are 23 empty buildings held by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). The majority of the empty buildings are disused offices on the site of a decommissioned power station. Others are derelict farm buildings on land the NDA owns near its sites. Nineteen of the properties are held by NDA Properties Ltd with a view to lease or sale.

Energy

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the written answer of 18 April 2012, Official Report, column 364W, on energy, how many consumers switched energy supplier in each quarter in each of the last 10 years.

Charles Hendry: DECC publishes statistics on the number of consumers switching supplier in the web version of its Quarterly Energy Prices publication. This can be found here on the DECC website (table 2.7.1):
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/prices/prices.aspx
	The data are summarised in the following table. The latest data available are for quarter 4 of 2011. Data are not available before 2003. Estimates for the number of consumers switching in quarter 1 of 2012 will be published on 28 June 2012.
	
		
			 Quarter Number of electricity transfers Number of gas transfers 
			 Quarter 1 2003 1,032,000 672,000 
			 Quarter 2 2003 1,023,000 714,000 
			 Quarter 3 2003 1,065,000 810,000 
			 Quarter 4 2003 1,086,000 864,000 
			    
			 Quarter 1 2004 1,026,000 894,000 
			 Quarter 2 2004 1,008,000 846,000 
			 Quarter 3 2004 1,020,000 813,000 
			 Quarter 4 2004 1,146,000 1,038,000 
			    
			 Quarter 1 2005 993,000 765,000 
			 Quarter 2 2005 1,119,000 963,000 
			 Quarter 3 2005 1,053,000 855,000 
			 Quarter 4 2005 1,242,000 930,000 
			    
			 Quarter 1 2006 1,170,000 864,000 
			 Quarter 2 2006 1,176,000 1,065,000 
			 Quarter 3 2006 1,188,000 966,000 
			 Quarter 4 2006 1,302,000 1,017,000 
			    
			 Quarter 1 2007 1,185,000 942,000 
			 Quarter 2 2007 1,269,000 1,014,000 
			 Quarter 3 2007 1,338,000 978,000 
			 Quarter 4 2007 1,365,000 1,047,000 
			    
			 Quarter 1 2008 1,251,000 936,000 
			 Quarter 2 2008 1,338,000 1,071,000 
			 Quarter 3 2008 1,494,000 1,137,000 
			 Quarter 4 2008 1,344,000 1,014,000 
			    
			 Quarter 1 2009 1,128,000 897,000 
			 Quarter 2 2009 1,254,000 954,000 
			 Quarter 3 2009 1,308,000 975,000 
		
	
	
		
			 Quarter 4 2009 1,332,000 999,000 
			    
			 Quarter 12010 1,071,000 840,000 
			 Quarter 2 2010 1,143,000 867,000 
			 Quarter 3 2010 1,242,000 894,000 
			 Quarter 4 2010 1,290,000 957,000 
			    
			 Quarter 1 2011 993,000 798,000 
			 Quarter 2 2011 1,110,000 813,000 
			 Quarter 3 2011 1,188,000 954,000 
			 Quarter 4 2011 915,000 705,000

Energy Supply

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether suppliers which do not intend to use the data communications company will be required to sign the Smart Energy Code.

Gregory Barker: The scope of the Smart Energy Code (SEC) is currently subject to a consultation which closes on 1 June, available at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/smart-metering-imp-prog/4896-smart-energy-code-con-doc.pdf
	The SEC will primarily cover matters relating to users of the Data and Communication Company’s services; however, it is likely to also contain wider provisions relating to the operation of smart meters in the GB market.
	In the light of responses to this consultation, the Government will publish further proposals on whether to require network operators and suppliers to become parties to the SEC and comply with its provisions, including whether to extend these obligations to all licence holders.

Energy: Billing

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of the effect on household energy bills of (a) the European Emissions Trading Scheme, (b) feed-in tariffs, (c) the Renewables Obligation, (d) the Warm Home Discount, (e) the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target and (f) other energy and climate change policies.

Gregory Barker: In November 2011, DECC published an assessment of the impact of energy and climate change polices on average household energy bills available online at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/aes/impacts/impacts.aspx
	alongside the Annual Energy Statement, with a commitment to publish updated analysis each year alongside future Annual Energy Statements.
	The Government is committed to meeting energy demand at the lowest cost possible by helping people to get the best deal on their energy, insulating homes and dealing with the root cause of energy price volatility, our dependence on fossil fuels.
	DECC estimates that household dual fuel bills in 2011 were, on average, around 2% higher than they would have been if energy and climate change policies weren't introduced. However, by 2020, these policies will mean household dual fuel bills could, on average, be around 7% lower than they would have been in the same year in the absence of policies. This is because the effects of policies which help households to save energy are expected to more than offset the necessary cost of investing in new capacity and greater efficiency. A breakdown of these impacts by individual policies is presented in Annex F of the aforementioned document.
	Recent announcements on the draft Energy Bill and Feed-in-Tariffs scheme are not expected to change the overall assessment of the impact of policies in 2020. Updated analysis accounting for all policy announcements since November 2011 will be published alongside the next Annual Energy Statement later this year.

Energy: Housing

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to page 26 of his Department's Annual Report and Accounts 2010-11, what projections he has made of likely performance against Priority 1, Impact Indicator 1, which measures the total number of energy efficiency installations in households for the period 2012 to 2015.

Gregory Barker: Projections of the total number of energy efficiency installations (cavity wall insulation and loft insulation) for the period 2013 to 2022 were published in the Green Deal Consultation Impact Assessment(1) in November 2011. We will publish an updated assessment alongside the Government Response, which will reflect any new evidence received and policy changes made in light of the consultation.
	(1 )Green Deal Consultation Impact Assessment:
	www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/green_deal/green_deal.aspx

Energy: Prices

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of collective purchasing in the energy market.

Charles Hendry: Collective purchasing and switching have the potential to help consumers get a fair deal on their energy bills. Following the Big Switch, a collective switch organised by Which?, they estimate that 70% of consumers who signed up will save an average of £123 per year and that 30,000 households could reduce their bills by over £200.

Energy: Prices

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will estimate the average amount paid by residential users for (a) electricity and (b) gas in (i) Wales, (ii) Scotland, (iii) England and (iv) Northern Ireland in the last year for which figures are available.

Charles Hendry: These data can be found in the latest edition of DECC's Quarterly Energy Prices publication, with 2011 being the most recent year for which figures are available. The following table shows average domestic bills for gas and electricity in 2011, for each country, by the method of payment used. This is based on assumed fixed annual consumption of 18,000kWh for gas and 3,300kWh for standard electricity. We are not able to separate the data out and provide data for England and Wales individually. Data on gas are not available for Northern Ireland.
	
		
			    £ 
			  Standard credit Direct debit Pre-payment meter 
			 (a) Electricity (standard)    
			 England & Wales 469 432 475 
			 Scotland 489 446 485 
			 Northern Ireland 523 504 510 
			     
			 (b) Gas    
			 England & Wales 749 698 744 
			 Scotland 743 687 737 
			 Northern Ireland n/a n/a n/a

Energy: Prices

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the oral answer of 16 May 2012, Official Report, column 562, on collective switching, what steps he has taken to encourage collective switching.

Charles Hendry: The Department has been working to build momentum behind collective purchasing and switching in the energy sector for several months.
	The Working Group on Collective Purchasing and Switching set up last year made a number of recommendations to promote collective switching/purchasing. As part of the implementation of these recommendations, Ofgem have published guidance on the relevant licence requirements for energy suppliers and my Department has published guidance to help consumers and organisations interested in setting up group switching schemes:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/funding/collectpurch/collectpurch.aspx
	DECC has also hosted two round tables with stakeholders on collective purchasing and switching to encouraging further sharing of experience and identification of barriers.

Energy: Prices

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the oral answer of 16 May 2012, Official Report, column 563, on energy prices, what the evidential basis is for the statement that there are currently 120 tariffs.

Charles Hendry: DECC's estimate that there are over 120 tariffs available to a typical household looking to switch was made by looking at all the tariffs offered by a variety of accredited comparison sites.

EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on the European Commission's proposal to review European Union Allowances under the EU emissions trading scheme.

Gregory Barker: The EU ETS has been successful in delivering emissions reductions, but the EU ETS is not at present sending the signals necessary to drive investment in low carbon technology and infrastructure needed for the low carbon transition. The UK has long argued for a move to a higher emissions reduction target of 30%. Any such move would include tightening the EU ETS cap, in order to deliver a level of ambition in the EU ETS that is consistent with our long-term targets and to strengthen the investment signal provided by the carbon price. We have not yet seen any proposal from the Commission but the UK will welcome a proposal which effectively tightens the EU ETS cap in line with the Government's stated objectives for a more ambitious EU emissions reductions target.

EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on the linking of the EU Emissions Trading System to the South Korean emissions trading scheme.

Gregory Barker: The UK strongly welcomes South Korea's passing of the ETS Bill.
	Linking the EU ETS with other trading schemes presents a significant opportunity to promote cost-effective emissions reductions and expand global carbon markets.
	However, before the two schemes can be linked, we will need confidence that the two schemes are compatible. It will only be possible to make this assessment once the details of their trading scheme are finalised.
	The UK will continue working closely with the South Korean Government on this issue.

Fraud

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the level of (a) procurement and (b) other fraud affecting his Department's spending in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: The information requested is as follows.
	(a) Procurement Fraud
	(i) The Department reported one procurement fraud in 2010-11 to the value of £10,000.
	(ii) Nil.
	(b) Other Fraud
	(i) Nil.
	(ii) Nil.

Fuel Poverty

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of the number of households in fuel poverty in (a) Coventry, (b) Coventry North East constituency and (c) England in the latest period for which figures are available.

Gregory Barker: In 2010, the latest year for which data are available, the number of households in England in fuel poverty was 3.5 million.
	In Coventry local authority, the number of households in fuel poverty was estimated to be 26,700, and in Coventry North East constituency, 9,000.

Fuel Poverty: Wales

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will estimate the number of people who are in fuel poverty in Wales.

Gregory Barker: Fuel poverty is measured at a household rather than individual level. For Wales, the last available data show that in 2008 approximately 332,000 households were estimated to be in fuel poverty. Projections for 2009 and 2010 estimate 368,000 and 332,000 fuel poor households respectively.

Green Deal Scheme

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the annual fuel poverty statistics report, how many homes with two or more of non-gas central heating (or no central heating), solid walls, uninsulated cavity walls, and loft insulation less than 150mm, will be fitted with energy measures under the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation in each of the next three years.

Gregory Barker: The Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation Impact Assessment will be published shortly, alongside the Government response to the recent consultation. The impact assessment will contain projections for the delivery of measures such as central heating systems and loft, cavity wall and solid wall insulation but these will only estimate delivery. In addition we will monitor and report on actual delivery of insulation and heating improvements as the scheme gets under way.

Green Deal Scheme

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Green Deal on the number of customers switching between energy suppliers.

Gregory Barker: The Green Deal finance scheme has been designed to minimise the potential effect on customers wishing to change their energy supplier. The existing process for switching supplier will remain unchanged. Although a few smaller electricity suppliers (those with less than 250,000 customers) may opt out of collecting and remitting Green Deal payments, we do not expect this to have a significant impact on consumers’ engagement with the competitive energy market.

Green Deal Scheme

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what research his Department has commissioned to support its work on the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation; what the cost was of each research project; and whether the research is publicly available.

Gregory Barker: Across the analytical disciplines in DECC, a number of research projects have been commissioned to inform the Green Deal or Energy Company Obligation (ECO). Details of all the projects are listed in the following table, along with an assessment of costs and publication status. Note that only research started since May 2010 has been included.
	
		
			 Start date Research Research type Cost (ex VAT) (£) Publication status 
			 December 2010 A survey of 2,023 owner occupiers/private rented tenants in Great Britain to understand response to the Green Deal and key motivators or barriers and concerns or issues from a consumer perspective Customer insight 140,000 Published on the DECC website: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/green_deal/green_deal.aspx 
			 February 2011 Qualitative research project with home owners (including vulnerable groups) and SMEs to explore consumer response to the Green Deal, including specific features of assessment, installation, accreditation, finance, advice and triggers Customer insight 81,940 Published on the DECC website: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/green_deal/green_deal.aspx 
			 February 2011 Qualitative research with domestic and non-domestic tenants and landlords to identify how best to engage the private rented sector in the Green Deal and drive demand on a voluntary basis Customer insight 59,800 Published on the DECC website: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/green_deal/green_deal.aspx 
			 March 2011 Element Energy Modelling work—the provision of research on appraisal of policy options for domestic carbon efficiency Economics 69,350 Details included in the draft Green Deal and ECO impact assessment which was published on the DECC website http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/green_deal/green_deal.aspx 
			 August 2011 Qualitative research project with householders across Great Britain to establish how to communicate the core concepts of the Green Deal so as to minimise any potential confusion, with a particular focus on the Green Deal occupancy assessment(1) Customer insight 95,312 To be published on the DECC website in June 2012 with the response to the Green Deal consultation 
			 August 2011 A research project including a survey of 2,802 businesses, charities, and voluntary sector organisations in Great Britain and qualitative interviews with businesses and landlords to understand response to the Green Deal and motivations and barriers to energy efficiency Customer insight 97,000 To be published on the DECC website in June 2012 with the response to the Green Deal consultation 
			 October 2011 Update on hard to fill cavities Science 8,000 To be published on the DECC website in June 2012 with the final Green Deal and ECO impact assessment 
			 October 2011 UCL desk study on solid walls Science 9,950 Research complete. A report is in preparation and will be published when available 
			 November 2011 Measurement of dwelling wall U-values Science 670,000 Research and analysis is ongoing until July 2012. A report will be published when available 
		
	
	
		
			 November 2011 A survey of 1,946 owner occupiers/private rented tenants in Great Britain to investigate the supposition that a high rate of subsidy has a proportionally larger impact on consumer uptake of the Green Deal Customer insight 17,410 Summary of high level findings and methodology to be published on the DECC website in June 2012 as an annex to the Green Deal and ECO impact assessment 
			 February 2012 A survey of 1,880 owner occupiers/private rented tenants to understand the sources of funding that consumers have used and might choose to use in the future for funding home improvements Customer insight 8,500 Summary of high level findings and methodology to be published on the DECC website in June 2012 as an annex to the Green Deal and ECO impact assessment 
			 March 2012 A survey of 2,050 owner occupiers/private rented tenants primarily to understand the most effective form and level of incentive. A segmentation based on above survey data and Target Group Index (TGI) data to inform policy decisions and the customer engagement strategy for the Green Deal Customer insight 181,400 Research in progress. Expected publication date autumn 2012 
			 (1 )The occupancy assessment is one of the two mandated documents (the other being the Energy Performance certificate (EPC)) that make up the Green Deal Advice Report (GDAR) and will be given to people who have a Green Deal assessment.

Green Deal Scheme

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the total spend to date by his Department has been on administering the introduction of (a) the Green Deal and (b) Energy Company Obligation; and what the budget is for this work in 2012-13.

Gregory Barker: Green Deal spend in 2011-12 and 2012-13 (including administration, programme and capital spend) was, respectively, £33.8 million and £65.9 million.
	The delivery of ECO is within the overall Green Deal Programme and therefore draws resource and budget allocation from across the programme.

Green Deal Scheme

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change who the members are of all current working groups in his Department working on the Green Deal.

Gregory Barker: A table detailing the membership of current Green Deal working groups will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
	Besides formal working group membership, in some cases group members co-ordinate views from among a wider group of stakeholders.
	In addition, my hon. Friend the Member for Stourbridge (Margot James) chairs a Green Deal Women's panel which has membership made up of individuals rather than organisations.

Housing: Insulation

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what definition of a hard to treat cavity wall his Department uses; and how many hard to treat cavity walls his Department estimates have not yet been insulated.

Gregory Barker: Generally for statistical purposes DECC consider the following types of cavity walls to be hard to treat:
	Narrow cavity—Masonry cavities that are less than 50 mm wide.
	Concrete construction—Prefabricated concrete constructions systems with cavities.
	Metal frame construction—Metal frame construction systems with cavities.
	Random stone cavity—Uneven cavities formed in walls constructed of natural stone outer leaf and block/brick inner leaf.
	Timber frame uninsulated studwork cavity (also has a masonry cavity, which must not be filled).
	Too high, more than four storeys tall.
	Exposed to severe wind driven rain.
	Wall fault in its outer leaf which would need to be remediated before filling.
	The Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation Impact Assessment and draft Secondary Legislation, due to be published shortly, will set out the types and numbers of cavity walls remaining to be insulated and which of these would be eligible for support through the Green Deal and ECO programmes.

Housing: Insulation

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of empty lofts which have not yet been insulated.

Gregory Barker: The latest publicly available estimate of lofts without insulation in Great Britain is 779,000 in 2009. A significant proportion of these lofts are expected to have now been filled, primarily under the carbon emissions reduction target, the community energy saving programme and Warm Front. The Government's latest view of the current number of lofts without insulation will be published in the Green Deal and enegy company obligation Impact Assessment.

Hunterston B Power Station

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on how many occasions the Office for Nuclear Regulation inspected the Hunterston B nuclear plant in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012 to date.

Chris Grayling: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
	The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) carries out site inspections in line with its planned inspection programme. The number of planned inspections were:
	2010—24 planned inspections;
	2011—46 planned inspections; and
	2012—nine planned inspections so far.

Hunterston B Power Station

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when the Office for Nuclear Regulation last inspected the Hunterston B nuclear power plant.

Chris Grayling: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
	The Office for Nuclear Regulation's site inspector last visited Hunterston B on 21 May 2012 to carry out safety inspections.

Hunterston B Power Station

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when the Office for Nuclear Regulation next plans to inspect the Hunterston B nuclear power plant.

Chris Grayling: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
	The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) inspectors visit operating nuclear plants monthly. The next scheduled inspection at Hunterston B will take place in June 2012.

Hunterston B Power Station

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the safety provisions at the Hunterston B nuclear power plant.

Chris Grayling: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
	The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) assessment is that Hunterston B is achieving a satisfactory level of compliance with regulatory requirements, although there are some areas for improvement. These are being followed up as part of normal regulatory business.

Industry Contact Group On Distributed Energy

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will publish a list of the members of the Industry Contact Group on Distributed Energy, together with the date, agenda and minutes of all the Group's meetings to date.

Gregory Barker: The Industry Contact Group on Distributed energy has met twice, most recently on 2 February. I will shortly be publishing attendees, agendas and minutes of those meetings that have already taken place, and will do for future meetings, on the DECC website.

Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will make it his policy that the UK Government delegation to the 35th session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in July 2012 should propose an amendment to the proposed revision to Appendix A to the Principles Governing IPCC to include all the lead authors' responses to review comments in what will be made available to all reviewers on request during the review process.

Gregory Barker: The proposed revision to the IPCC Procedures is to correct an error which occurred at the 33rd Session of the IPCC by re-insertion of the text
	“All written expert, and government review comments will be made available to reviewers on request during the review process”.
	The details are contained in document IPCC-XXXV/Doc. 11, available on the website of the IPCC
	http://www.ipcc.ch/
	As all reviewers of the First Order Draft of an IPCC report have the opportunity to see how their comments have been addressed if they opt to review the Second Order Draft, the UK has no plans to propose an amendment to the above revision to Appendix A to the Principles Governing IPCC.

Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will make it his policy that the UK Government delegation to the 35th session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in July 2012 should propose that the IPCC withdraw its confidentiality decision from its 33rd Session due to its fundamental principle that its assessment process is to be open and transparent.

Gregory Barker: The IPCC's decision at its 33rd Session balanced its aims for an open and transparent scientific assessment process with the risk of undermining the process through premature public release of draft reports. I am content with that decision and we have no plans to propose that the IPCC should withdraw it.

Departmental Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what target he has set to reduce headcount across his Department and non-departmental public bodies in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: The planned headcount for DECC and its arm's length bodies
	(a) increased by 9% in 2010-11 compared to the previous year;
	(b) reduced by 5% in 2011-12 compared to the previous year; and
	(c) reduced by 6% in 2012/13 compared to the previous year.
	The increase in 2010-11 reflected the fact that DECC was a new Department that was still establishing its corporate functions and developing new programmes. The majority of the reduction in the subsequent two years is because DECC reduced and then ended its arm's length relationship with the Carbon Trust and Energy Savings Trust. DECC continues to work with these bodies on a contractual basis but it no longer finances and funds them. As a result they are no longer considered by the Treasury to be part of DECC for budgetary control purposes. By the end of the current spending review period in 2014-15, staff numbers are planned to fall by 23% for DECC and its arm's length bodies compared to the baseline year of 2009-10.
	There are planned increases in staff numbers of 2% in 2011-12 and 4% in 2012-13 as DECC makes the transition from a policy based Department to a delivery based Department. Numbers for DECC and its arm's length bodies (excluding the Carbon Trust and Energy Savings Trust) are then planned to fall by 7% in 2013-14 compared to the prior year and by 8% in 2014-15 compared to the previous year.
	The preceding figures exclude the Civil Nuclear Police Authority which is a self-financing body where force numbers are planned to grow in response to increased activity commissioned by nuclear operating companies.

Mutual Societies

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of full-time equivalent staff who will transfer from his Department and its non-departmental public bodies' workforce to a mutual in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: Neither the Department of Energy and Climate Change nor any of the non-departmental bodies for which it is responsible transferred any staff to a mutual in (a) 2011-12 nor plan to transfer any in (b) 2012-13.

Natural Gas

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the oral answer of 17 May 2012, Official Report, column 681, on shale gas, if he will place a transcript of the seminar on shale gas in the Library.

Charles Hendry: It is not Government policy to release details of ministerial meetings with external parties as to do so could hinder open discussion between those parties and Government.

Natural Gas: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the oral answer of 17 May 2012, Official Report, column 690, what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Welsh Government on hydraulic fracturing in Wales; and whether Ministers in the Welsh Government have requested that they be given responsibility for taking the final decision on whether to grant permission for hydraulic fracturing to take place in Wales.

Charles Hendry: DECC Ministers have discussions from time to time with Ministers in the Welsh Government on a range of issues, and there is similarly regular liaison between Welsh Government officials and the Department. Representatives from the Welsh Government and other devolved bodies are included in the regular shale gas liaison teleconferences which my officials hold with other key regulators. This includes the Health and Safety Executive, the respective devolved Administrations and their counterpart environmental delivery bodies, such as the Environment Agency, as some environmental regulations are devolved matters.
	As with all other proposals for oil and gas developments, proposals for shale gas exploration or extraction are subject to the requirements of the Town and Country Planning Act administered by the planning authority for the area in which the development is located. Planning is a devolved function in Wales and therefore it would be for the relevant planning authority to consider any application in the first instance. However Welsh Ministers have the power to call in an application if they consider it necessary.
	The consent of the Department is also required for all drilling or production operations for oil and gas. This is given only once planning permission has been obtained.

Nuclear Power Stations: EU Law

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the European Commission on the extent to which revenue support for new nuclear under his proposals for electricity market reform is consistent with EU law on subsidies for new nuclear power stations.

Charles Hendry: We are considering how the electricity market reforms interact with State Aid, and are engaging closely with the European Commission to ensure the policy is consistent with the appropriate rules.

Offshore Industry: Safety

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effect on safety in the offshore energy sector of the practical difficulties for trade unions of gaining access to workplaces on offshore installations; and if he will bring forward proposals to address such difficulties.

Chris Grayling: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
	The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have recently made an assessment of the effectiveness of the Offshore Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations 1989 and concluded that general compliance with these requirements, which help to ensure workforce involvement offshore, was good. Any practical difficulties that trade unions face in gaining access to workplaces on offshore installations were not raised as issues affecting offshore health and safety standards or specifically as negatively impacting on the effectiveness of existing offshore safety representatives and safety committee requirements. Therefore, HSE is not proposing to bring forward any proposals to address this issue.

Offshore Industry: Safety

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what guidance he provides to employers in the offshore energy sector on the election of safety representatives; and what his policy is on offshore safety representatives appointed by trade unions.

Chris Grayling: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
	The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides employers and safety representatives with a guide to the Offshore Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations 1989, which is available free on HSE's website. This outlines the election process for the appointment of safety representatives on offshore installations. These regulations and the supporting guidance provide for the appointment of safety representatives through a process of election by secret ballot.
	To be eligible a person must be willing to stand and must be nominated and seconded by their offshore installation colleagues. HSE recognises that both non-unionised safety representatives and those from trade unions can make an effective contribution to offshore worker involvement in health and safety, which is an important element of effective health and safety management.

Departmental Administration Costs

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much was spent on the administration of his Department in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12.

Gregory Barker: Administration costs are reported in the Department's published annual accounts. Expenditure was £100.1 million in 2009-10 and £96.9 million in 2010-11. These costs relate only to the core Department. From the start of the current spending review in 2011-12, arm's length bodies were brought into the administration costs regime so costs will not be directly comparable to earlier years. Administration costs for 2011-12 are still draft and subject to audit. They will be published in July 2012 in the DECC Annual Report and Accounts 2011-12 (HC63).

Pay

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many staff working for his Department and its non-departmental public bodies are employed through off-payroll engagements costing less than £58,200 per annum; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: Neither the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) nor any of the non-departmental public bodies, for which it is responsible, hold this information centrally. Commissioning and collating this information would incur disproportionate costs.

Publications

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many (a) circulars and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department in each of the last two years.

Gregory Barker: Updates are sent directly to stakeholders by our communications directorate, by policy teams, and automatically to those signed up to receive website alerts. No central record is kept of these.
	The Department has issued the following number of consultations in each of the last two years:
	31 consultations between May 2010 and April 2011;
	36 consultations between May 2011 and May 2012.

Radioactive Materials

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the licensing process of the National Nuclear Laboratory to refine, sell and export non-prolific nuclear material.

Mark Prisk: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
	I understand your question relates to the substance Americium-241, the export of which requires an export licence issued by the Export Control Organisation (ECO) within BIS. All such export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis by the ECO against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. A licence will not be issued if to do so would contravene the criteria. The ECO has not received any export licence applications from the National Nuclear Laboratory for this substance therefore no such assessment has been made.

Radioactive Materials

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the answer of 30 April 2012, Official Report, column 1222W, on heating: radioactive materials, what radionuclides are expected to be present in the returned radioactive waste; what quantities of such radionuclides are expected to be present; what metals are expected to be present; what quantities of such metals are expected to be present; what International Maritime Dangerous Goods code will apply to such material; through which ports such material is expected to enter the UK; by which land transport methods and routes such material will be transported to its end destination; and what the end destination will be for storage or disposal of such material in the UK.

Charles Hendry: The heat exchangers from the Berkeley Magnox nuclear power plant were shipped to Sweden to maximise the reuse and recycling of redundant materials as a key part of NDA's Low Level Waste Strategy, under supervision of the relevant regulators. The NDA anticipate that the returned radioactive waste will contain the same radionuclides that were present in the waste consigned for treatment, predominantly; Carbon-14, Cobalt-60, H-3 (Tritium). The quantities of radionuclides are expected to be comparable to those consigned i.e. ~ 350 GBq. The boilers are constructed from steel. Secondary waste will also contain steel shot from the decontamination process.
	The original weight of each boiler was ~ 300 tonnes. The NDA anticipate that less than 10% i.e. 30 tonnes will be returned per boiler, including secondary waste materials.
	The 2010 IMDG code would apply. In the past returned secondary waste has been consigned as UN2912 LSA I. The classification of this material will be confirmed once all the secondary waste has been processed and packaged.
	The material will return to the UK through a commercial port. The NDA expect this port to be in the North of England for materials destined for the Low Level Waste Repository.
	The material will be packaged in IP2 approved ISO containers and transported via rail or road transport as an ADR Class 7 transport.
	The NDA advise the end destination to be the national Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR), or management by LLWR along any suitable waste route in accordance with UK National LLW strategy. Some material could be returned to the Berkeley Site if it is not suitable for the LLWR.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the oral answer of 17 May 2012, Official Report, column 671, on feed-in tariffs, what the evidential basis is for the statement that the installation rate is 1.7 times what it was in the same period in 2011.

Gregory Barker: The statement that the installation rate since the 21p tariff came in was 1.7 times what it was in the same period last year was based on the weekly solar PV deployment statistics published on the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s website, available at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/source/fits/fits.aspx
	These statistics report the number and capacity of solar PV installations up to 50 kW in size recorded on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) database by commissioning date.
	At 17 May 2012(1), the data showed:
	a total of 26,256 solar PV installations were commissioned and registered on the MCS database in the 10 weeks ending 13 May 2012 (that is, the 10 weeks after the tariffs were reduced for new solar PV installations up to 250 kW in size on 3 March)
	a total of 15,340 solar PV installations were commissioned and registered on the MCS database in the equivalent 10-week period last year (ending 15 May 2011).
	The figures for the 10 weeks ending 13 May 2012 are 1.71 times the figures for the 10 weeks ending 15 May 2012.
	(1) Note that the data are revised each week, so the figures above may not match those for the most recent statistics as published on DECC’s website.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department have taken to develop a framework for giving developers comfort in advance of decisions concerning feed-in tariffs with contracts for difference.

Charles Hendry: The Government has made clear that it is prepared to enter into discussions with relevant developers with a view to considering what form of comfort might be given to support early investment decisions for low carbon plants to progress to timetable wherever possible.
	‘Planning our electric future: Technical Update’, published by DECC in December 2011, set out the characteristics which DECC will expect to be exhibited by a project before the Department is able to take a decision as to whether to enter into discussions with a developer and the broad process that the Government will adopt to govern and progress any such discussions. To address any potential investment hiatus prior to the establishment of the enduring regime under the electricity market reform programme, the draft Energy Bill, published on 22 May 2012, contains provisions to enable the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), to give the appropriate degree of comfort to relevant developers or generators under certain conditions.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether any letters of comfort have been (a) sought or (b) given to any developer in advance of decisions concerning feed-in tariffs with contracts for difference.

Charles Hendry: The Government has made clear that it is prepared to enter into discussions with relevant developers with a view to considering what form of comfort might be given to support early investment decisions for low carbon plants to progress to timetable wherever possible.
	No letters of comfort have been issued by DECC, following this commitment.
	NNB Generation Company Ltd, a joint venture company owned by EDF and Centrica, has formally expressed its wish to enter into discussions in relation to developing new nuclear at Hinkley Point C. DECC has confirmed its willingness to do so, on the basis that the project fulfils the characteristics set out in ‘Planning our Electricity Future: Technical Update’, published by the Department in December 2011.
	We expect other developers of low carbon power generation projects to come forward formally over the coming months.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will review the proposed change to the feed-in-tariff rate due to take effect on 1 July 2012.

Gregory Barker: On 24 May the Government response to the consultation on solar photovoltaic (PV) tariffs and cost control was published, confirming an effective date of 1 August 2012 for new tariffs to apply instead of 1 July, as had been proposed in the consultation.

Renewables Obligation

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of the effect on the advanced conversion technology industry of the renewables obligation banding review; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 19 April, Official Report, column 489W. I can confirm that it remains the Government's policy to encourage deployment of advanced conversion technologies through the renewables obligation given the potential of these technologies for wider and innovative uses. We aim to publish the Government response to the renewables obligation banding review consultation shortly. This will set out our decision on the levels of support that technologies, including advanced conversion technologies, will be eligible to receive from April 2013.

RenewableUK

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether any of the staff working in his Department have previously been seconded to RenewableUK.

Gregory Barker: There are no staff working for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), who have previously been seconded by the Department to RenewableUK. DECC does not hold details of the previous employment of its staff on a central database.

RenewableUK

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether any of RenewableUK's (a) directors and (b) other employees have been seconded to his Department.

Gregory Barker: There are no (a) directors nor (b) other employees working for RenewableUK who have been seconded to the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

RenewableUK

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether RenewableUK has provided consultancy or advisory services to his Department; and if so, how much it was paid for these services.

Gregory Barker: RenewableUK has not provided any consultancy or advisory services to the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

RenewableUK

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what meetings his Department has had with (a) directors and (b) other employees of RenewablesUK in (i) the House of Commons and (ii) his Department's buildings.

Gregory Barker: All meetings between external organisations and DECC Ministers are published on a quarterly basis on the DECC website and are available for download at this link:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/accesstoinform/registers/registers.aspx
	DECC officials have regular meetings with a wide range of external stakeholders from the renewable energy sector, including RenewableUK.

RenewableUK

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what hospitality (a) he, (b) his predecessor and (c) staff in his Department have received from RenewablesUK since May 2010.

Gregory Barker: A gifts and hospitality register for DECC Ministers is published on the DECC website and is available for download at this link:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/accesstoinform/registers/gifts_minister/gifts_minister.aspx
	This covers the period from October 2009 to September 2011 and is updated quarterly. The register for October to December 2011 will be uploaded shortly.
	Since May 2010 DECC officials have received hospitality from RenewableUK totalling £537.00 through attendance at conferences, seminars and meetings.

Warm Front Scheme

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the oral answer of 17 May 2012, Official Report, column 674, on Warm Front, how many complaints about Warm Front were made in each of the last 10 years.

Gregory Barker: Information on complaints about Warm Front is only held for the period from 2005. Complaints are recorded by the year in which they are made. Some complaints registered each year will relate to matters arising in previous years.
	
		
			 Number 
			  2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 
			 Warm Front complaints received 1,029 3,998 5,892 8,019 5,922 5,847 6,548 
			 Complaints upheld on closure 330 1,385 1,386 1,622 1,541 1,509 2,326

Warm Front Scheme

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the written answer of 19 April 2012, Official Report, column 491W, on the Warm Front scheme, how many applications for a Warm Front grant from each parliamentary constituency were (a) accepted and (b) rejected in 2011-12.

Gregory Barker: A table containing the number of Warm Front applications from each parliamentary constituency that were (a) accepted and (b) rejected in 2011-12 will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Wind Power

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what process his Department used to commission BiGGAR Economics to prepare a report on the investment and jobs provided by the onshore wind industry;
	(2)  on what date BiGGAR Economics were commissioned to prepare a report on the investment and jobs provided by the onshore wind industry;
	(3)  how much his Department paid to BiGGAR Economics for its recent report on the investment and jobs provided by the onshore wind industry.

Charles Hendry: The report by BiGGAR Economics on ‘Onshore Wind—Direct and Wider Economic Impacts' published in May 2012 was commissioned by RenewableUK through a competitive tendering process run jointly by DECC officials and RenewableUK. Eight organisations with expertise in carrying out economic analysis of the energy sector were invited to tender. Three bids were received and evaluated jointly by RenewableUK and DECC officials. The BiGGAR tender was accepted as it scored most highly against the evaluation criteria set by RenewableUK and DECC.
	The contract between RenewableUK and BiGGAR Economics was signed on 27 January 2012.
	The project was funded jointly by DECC and RenewableUK. DECC contributed grant funding of £15,000 to RenewableUK for the costs of procuring the research.

Wind Power

Nigel Adams: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department produces its own statistics on numbers of turbines which are operational and in the planning process; and whether such statistics depend on information provided by the trade bodies in the wind industry.

Charles Hendry: Detailed site level information for operational sites, including installed capacity, is available on DECC's RESTATS database at:
	https://restats.decc.gov.uk/app/reporting/decc/monthlyextract
	This information is collected and processed by AEA on behalf of the Department and is sourced from planning permission process data rather than trade bodies.

Wind Power

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the press release of 7 May on new research on the economic benefit of onshore wind, for what reason the press release is not available on his Department's website.

Gregory Barker: The report referred to was commissioned by Renewable UK and DECC. The press release was issued by Renewable UK at the time and as a result, both the press release and report were published on that organisation's website. However, as DECC jointly funded the research, it seems appropriate that a link is added to it from our website, and we will undertake to do that at the earliest opportunity.

Wind Power

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on onshore wind farms.

Charles Hendry: The Government is committed to a balanced energy portfolio, including an appropriate level of onshore wind deployment in our energy mix, to maintain our energy security and to help decarbonise our electricity supply. As a mature and cost-effective technology, onshore wind energy reduces UK reliance on imported fossil fuels and supports investment and jobs across the country.
	Our policies are set out in the Renewable Energy Roadmap(1) published last summer, which includes a projected central scenario of up to 13GW total installed capacity of onshore wind by 2020. We consider this ambition is manageable. 5GW is already up and running, nearly 6GW has received planning consent and there is a further 7GW in the planning system. Not everything consented will be built, and not everything in the planning system deserves to be consented, so there will be new project proposals to come, but the investment the country needs in this technology is already largely on the table.
	We are determined to deliver our objectives in ways that offer maximum value for money for consumer spend, put the least possible pressures on energy bills, and give communities a real say and stake in shaping the development of their local areas.
	We are proposing a 10% reduction in the level of support for onshore wind as part of the current renewables obligation banding review to reflect ongoing falling costs of generation to 2020. This also helps ensure that only the most efficient onshore wind projects are brought forward. We will complete the review and issue a Government response confirming support levels before the summer recess. Legislation setting the new bands in law will come into effect on 1 April 2013.
	We are taking action to address peoples' concerns over the impact on communities of the siting of wind turbine development in the British countryside. In England, the Government's new National Planning Policy Framework is clear about the importance of protecting the natural environment, while supporting the delivery of appropriately-sited renewable and low carbon energy. Through the Localism Act we have put more power than ever before in the hands of communities to shape their neighbourhoods.
	We want local decisions to be plan-led, and driven by local councils, who will be able to identify suitable areas for renewable development.
	(1)The UK's Renewable Energy Roadmap was published by DECC in July 2011 and can be viewed at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/meeting-energy-demand/renewable-energy/2167-uk-renewable-energy-roadmap.pdf

CABINET OFFICE

Average Earnings

Michael Fallon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the average earnings were of (a) full-time male, (b) full-time female, (c) part-time male and (d) part-time female workers in (i) Sevenoaks constituency, (ii) Kent local authority area and (iii) the South East in each of the last two years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 24 May 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the average earnings were of (a) full-time male, (b) full-time female, (c) part-time male and (d) part-time female workers in (i) Sevenoaks constituency, (ii) Kent local authority area and (iii) the South East region in each of the last two years. (109875)
	Average levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all employees on adult rates of pay whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. The ASHE, carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom.
	I attach a table showing the median gross weekly earnings for (a) full-time male, (b) full-time female, (c) part-time male and (d) part-time female workers in (i) Sevenoaks constituency, (ii) Kent local authority area and (iii) the South East region in April for 2010 and 2011, the latest period for which figures are available.
	
		
			 Median gross weekly earnings for full-time male, full-time female, part-time male and part-time female employee jobs(1): (i) Sevenoaks parliamentary constituency, (ii) Kent local authority area and (iii) the south-east region, 2010 and 2011 
			 £ 
			  Male Female 
			  Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time 
			 Sevenoaks     
			 2010 *570.4 x **363.7 **151.9 
			 2011(2) *582.0 x **386.4 x 
			 2011(3) *581.7 x **362.0 **153.6 
			      
			 Kent(4)     
			 2010 536.6 *153.5 404.4 148.8 
			 2011(2) 545.5 *144.4 415.3 149.4 
			 2011(3) 546.5 *144.4 414.7 147.2 
			      
			 South-east     
			 2010 574.9 139.2 444.9 159.6 
			 2011(2) 578.5 141.5 454.0 160.2 
			 2011(3) 584.1 141.5 451.5 158.7 
			 (1) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. (2) 2011 results based on Standard Occupational Classification 2000. (3) 2011 results based on Standard Occupational Classification 2010. (4) Kent local authority area comprises 12 local authorities. Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an average of 200 with a CV of 5%, we would expect the population average to be within the range 180-220. Key: CV <= 5% * CV >5% and <= 10% ** CV >10% and <= 20% x = unreliable Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics.

Average Earnings

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the average earnings were of (a) full-time male, (b) full-time female, (c) part-time male and (d) part-time female workers in (i) Mid Sussex constituency, (ii) West Sussex local authority area and (iii) the South East region in each of the last two years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck dated 24 May 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the average earnings were of (a) full-time male, (b) full-time female, (c) part-time male and (d) part-time female workers in (i) Mid Sussex constituency, (ii) West Sussex local authority area and (iii) the South East region in each of the last two years. (110246)
	Average levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all employees on adult rates of pay whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. The ASHE, carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom.
	I attach a table showing the median gross weekly earnings for (a) full-time male, (b) full-time female, (c) part-time male and (d) part-time female workers in (i) Mid Sussex constituency, (ii) West Sussex local authority area and (iii) the South East region in April for 2010 and 2011, the latest periods for which figures are available.
	
		
			 Median gross weekly earnings for full-time male, full-time female, part-time male & part time female employee jobs(1) (i) Mid Sussex parliamentary constituency, (ii) West Sussex local authority area and (iii) the South East region, for 2010 and 2011. 
			  Full-time male Part-time male Full-time female Part-time female 
			 Mid Sussex parliamentary constituency     
			 2010 (**)511.3 x (**)458.2 (**)145.9 
			 2011(2) (**)561.1 x (**)453.3 (**)187.5 
			 2011(3) (*)574.9 x (**)442.6 (**)184.9 
			      
			 West Sussex local authority area(4)     
			 2010 528.5 (**)140.1 416.0 146.2 
			 2011(2) 525.0 (**)148.1 430.1 (*)150.0 
			 2011(3) 535.4 (**)146.2 425.9 (*)148.3 
			      
			 South East region     
			 2010 574.9 139.2 444.9 159.6 
			 2011(2) 578.5 141.5 454.0 160.2 
			 2011(3) 584.1 141.5 451.5 158.7 
			 (1 )Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. (2 )2011 results based on Standard Occupational Classification 2000. (3 )2011 results based on Standard Occupational Classification 2010. (4 )West Sussex local authority area comprises seven local authorities. Guide to quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an average of 200 with a CV of 5%, we would expect the population average to be within the range 180 to 220. Key CV <= 5% (* )CV>5% and<=10% (** )CV> 10% and <-20% x unreliable Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics.

Big Lottery Fund

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2012, Official Report, column 763W, on Big Lottery Fund, if he will publish the minutes of the meetings referred to in the answer.

Nick Hurd: It is not the normal practice of Government to publish such minutes.

Big Society and Localism Ministerial Group

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to his answer of 11 January 2012, Official Report, column 320W, on what dates the informal ministerial group on big society and localism has met since 11 January 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: The big society agenda has moved beyond its initial stages of development and co-ordination is now run through standard channels such as the Cabinet Committee structure.

Big Society Capital

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what strategic or transitional risk registers relating to Big Society Capital are held by his Department; if he will publish any such registers; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Hurd: Big Society Capital (BSC) operates independently of Government and is therefore responsible for managing its own risk profile; this includes maintaining any risk registers.

Billing

Michael Dugher: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of payments made by his Department to small and medium-sized enterprises have been paid late since May 2010.

Francis Maude: Information held by the Cabinet Office on its payment performance does not distinguish between the size of supplier. To obtain the information requested would incur disproportionate costs.
	The Department's prompt payment performance is published in the Annual Report and Accounts available on:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/cabinet-office-annual-reports-and-accounts

Cancer: Males

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which are the most common cancers in men in England.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking which are the most common cancers in men in England.
	The latest available figures for the most common cancers in England are for the year 2009. Please note that these numbers may not be the same as the number of people diagnosed with cancer, because one person may be diagnosed with more than one cancer.
	The table below provides figures for the three most common cancers for males in England, in 2009. These account for more than half of newly diagnosed cases of cancer. This table is published annually as part of the Cancer Statistics Registrations, England (Series MB1).
	The latest published figures on incidence of cancer in England are available on the National Statistics website:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/cancer-statistics-registrations--england--series-mb1-/no--40--2009/index.html
	Detailed tables of cancer incidence by site (anatomical location of the tumour) and by sex and age group are presented in this publication.
	The data for 2010 is due to be published on 13th June 2012.
	
		
			 Table 1: The three most common cancers for males in England, 2009(1) 
			 ICD-10 Site description Number of registrations % of total malignancies 
			 1 C61 Prostate 34,593 25.7 
			 2 C34 Lung 18,492 13.7 
			 3 C18-20 Colorectal 18,227 13.5 
			 Total  71,312 53.0 
			     
			 All malignancies(2)  134,636 100.0 
			 (1) Figures are for cases diagnosed in 2010 and exclude non-residents. (2) Excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (ICD-10 C44). Source: Office for National Statistics

Charities Act 2006 Review

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much the review of the Charities Act 2006 led by Lord Hodgson has cost to date; how much it is expected to cost; what remuneration he is expected to receive; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Hurd: The Review of the Charities Act 2006 commenced on 8 November 2011 with the appointment of Lord Hodgson as the reviewer, in line with the requirements of s73 of the Act.
	Lord Hodgson is undertaking the review on a voluntary basis and receives no remuneration.
	The total cost of the review is expected to be around £40,000, and has cost £28,328 to date.

Civil Service Learning Contract

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many contracts have been awarded to small and medium-sized businesses under the Civil Service Learning contract since its inception.

Francis Maude: At 25 May 2012, the total number of contracts awarded by Capita to deliver CSL services was 69. 55 (80%) of these were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises for ongoing delivery.

Companies: Newton Abbot

Anne-Marie Morris: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) manufacturing and (b) construction firms are located in Newton Abbot constituency.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 18 May 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many (a) manufacturing and (b) construction firms are located in the Newton Abbot constituency.
	Annual statistics on the number of enterprises are available from the ONS release: UK Business: Activity, Size and Location at
	www.statistics.gov.uk.
	These estimates relate to the count of live businesses in March of each year.
	The following table provides the latest statistics on the number of manufacturing and construction enterprises in the parliamentary constituency of Newton Abbot.
	
		
			 Count of VAT or PAYE based manufacturing and construction enterprises in Newton Abbot as at March 2011 
			 Industry Count 
			 Manufacturing 175 
			 Construction 460 
			 Note: The above figures have been rounded to avoid disclosure

Consultants

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much his Department spent on external consultants, including management consultants, in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: Since May 2010, my Department's annual spend on consultancy has fallen dramatically. The cost in 2010-11 to the taxpayer was around a third of what it was in 2009-10.
	Overall spend on consultants (including, but not specifically identifying management consultants) is published in the ‘Cabinet Office Resource Accounts' available on the Department's website:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
	Accounts for 2011-12 will be published in due course.

Efficiency and Reform Group

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many staff were assigned to the Efficiency and Reform Group in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; how many staff are currently assigned to the Group; what salaries they receive; how many and from which departments such staff are seconded; and where such staff are located.

Francis Maude: holding answer 24 May 2012
	To address the record deficit which this Government inherited in May 2010 my Department formed an Efficiency and Reform Group.
	Since May 2010 the Group has helped Departments make billions of pounds of cash savings which have been corroborated by auditors including the NAO. This has never been done before. While the Group saved the taxpayer £3.75 billion in 2010-11, the savings for 2011-12 are anticipated to be even higher and around £5 billion. During this period the core cost of running the Group fell by 38%, demonstrating that this Group is leading by example.
	In June 2010 the Group employed 598 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff. By the end of March 2012, this had reduced to 437 (FTE).
	Staff are based in London and also in Norwich. At present 16% of staff are on loan from other Government Departments reflecting the need to ensure that we have the right expertise to deliver our priorities.
	As part of this Government's transparency programme, an organogram for my Department has been published online since October 2010. In addition charts of senior and junior staff salaries are published so that—unlike in the past—this information is freely available for all.

Efficiency and Reform Group

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what meetings members of the Reward, Efficiency and Reform Group have attended in each region; and what expenses were claimed in relation to each meeting.

Francis Maude: holding answer 24 May 2012
	There is no Reward, Efficiency and Reform Group within my Department.
	However, to address the record deficit which this Government inherited in May 2010 my Department formed an Efficiency and Reform Group.
	Since May 2010 the group has helped Departments make billions of pounds of cash savings which have been corroborated by auditors including the NAO. While the group saved the taxpayer £375 billion in 2010-11, the savings for 2011-12 are anticipated to be even higher and around £5 billion.
	Efficiency and Reform Group staff are based in London and also in Norwich.
	Expenses incurred by senior officials are published online.

Employment

Michael Fallon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many and what proportion of employees in (a) Sevenoaks constituency and (b) the South East were employed in the public sector in each of the last five years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many and what proportion of employees in (a) Sevenoaks constituency and (b) the South East were employed in the public sector in each of the last five years. (109866)
	Public sector employment statistics for local areas can be calculated from the Annual Population Survey (APS). Individuals in the APS are classified to the public or private sector according to their responses to the survey. Estimates of public sector employment are not available for the Sevenoaks constituency.
	Table 1 shows the number and the percentage of employees who were employed in the public sector in the South East. Estimates have been provided for October 2010 to September 2011, the latest period for which data is available, and October to September of the previous four years.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. A guide to the quality of the estimates is given in Table 1.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
	
		
			 Table 1: The number and percentage of employees who were employed in the public sector in the South East 
			 12 months ending Thousand Percentage 
			 September 2007 874 25 
			 September 2008 909 26 
			 September 2009 923 26 
			 September 2010 921 26 
			 September 2011(1) *924 26 
			 (1 )Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates, as described below: Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key: * 0 ≤ CV<5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise ** 5 ≤ CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 ≤ CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ≥ 20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes CV = Coefficient of Variation Source: Annual population survey

Employment

Michael Fallon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people were employed by (a) small and (b) medium-sized businesses in (i) Sevenoaks constituency and (ii) Kent local authority area in each of the last two years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2012
	As Director General for the Office, for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning- how many people were employed by (a) small and (b) medium-sized businesses in (i) Sevenoaks constituency and (ii) Kent local authority area in each of the last two years. 109867
	Annual statistics on the number of employees are available from the ONS release Business Register Employment Survey (BRES) at:
	www.ons.gov.uk
	Figures by small and medium-sized businesses are not available. The table contains the latest statistics available, which show the number of employees in Sevenoaks constituency and Kent local authority county area in 2009 and 2010.
	
		
			  2009 2010 
			 Sevenoaks 33,900 33,400 
			 Kent 540,800 547,800 
		
	
	The employee estimates shown above are taken from BRES. The 2010 estimates are liable to revision.

Employment

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people were employed by (a) small and (b) medium-sized businesses in (i) Mid Sussex constituency and (ii) West Sussex local authority area in each of the last two years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many people were employed by (a) small and (b) medium-sized businesses in (i) Mid Sussex constituency and (ii) West Sussex local authority area in each of the last two years. 110244
	Annual statistics on the number of employees are available from the Business Register Employment Survey (BRES) at:
	www.ons.gov.uk
	Figures by small and medium-sized businesses are not available.
	The table contains the latest statistics available, which show the number of employees in Mid Sussex constituency and West Sussex local authority area in 2009 and 2010.
	
		
			  2009 2010 
			 Mid Sussex parliamentary constituency 43,145 42,168 
			 West Sussex local authority area 327,339 340,799

Every Business Commits Scheme

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the Answer of 24 January 2012, Official Report, column 231W, on the third sector, what performance indicators his Department uses to assess the effectiveness of the Every Business Commits scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	Every Business Commits brings together a wide range of activity across Government to enable UK business to get involved in responsible business practices, either through their normal business operations or their corporate responsibility programmes. The overarching objective is to increase the capacity and capability of business to get involved in these initiatives, which will vary both between initiatives and businesses. An example of these initiatives is Trading for Good—a new digital platform developed by business for business that will help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to showcase what they are doing around the five main challenge areas of Every Business Commits. Trading for Good is able to track what SMEs are doing to grow the message of responsible business practice. Trading for Good launches in July 2012.

Food Waste

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 14 May 2012, Official Report, column 23W, on food waste, if he will meet with relevant experts to discuss how to implement a food waste hierarchy in managing nine tonnes of food waste generated by his Department and the Prime Minister's Office.

Francis Maude: The lead official in my Department is willing to meet with relevant experts.
	However as stated in my previous answer of 14 May 2012, Official Report, column 23W, there is already a food waste strategy in place.

Complaints

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many applications have been made under the internal disputes resolution procedure within Government departments; and how many such applications have been resolved in favour of the applicant.

Francis Maude: Internal disputes resolution procedure most commonly relates to pensions. Answering on this basis, the information about the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme's internal disputes resolution procedure is contained in the Resource Accounts for Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation. This includes numbers of complaints investigated and resolved. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

Government Procurement Card

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when Government procurement card spending for each department will next be published on data.gov.uk; and what guidance his Department issues on the frequency with which such transparency data should be updated.

Francis Maude: Prior to the last general election information on procurement spending, including through Government Procurement Cards, was not proactively published.
	As part of this Government's transparency agenda, the Prime Minister wrote to Secretaries of State last July committing to publish online all spend over £500 on Government Procurement Cards. This information is updated regularly by Departments.

Hay Group

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether his Department has any staff seconded from Hay Group; what the terms of their engagement with the Reward, Efficiency and Reform Group are; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of producing the local pay map.

Francis Maude: holding answer 24 May 2012
	My Department has one contract with Hay Group which was initially let in January 2010 for the value of £159,000 (excluding VAT) over three years.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Steven Baker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the red-amber warning given in the Major Projects Authority's report on High Speed 2.

Francis Maude: All major projects are reviewed at every stage of their development to ensure that they are delivered as efficiently as possible and provide the best possible value for taxpayers' money. The MPA report on HS2 made a number of recommendations to help ensure successful delivery. These recommendations were accepted and are being acted upon.

Investment and Contract Readiness Fund

Ann McKechin: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what discussions and correspondence he has had with (a) the Scottish Government, (b) the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, (c) the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations and (d) other civic society organisations in Scotland on the establishment of the Investment and Contract Readiness Fund.

Nick Hurd: The Investment and Contract Readiness Fund itself is for England only. As such, key stakeholders representing the sector in England were consulted on how it could best provide support to social ventures based there.

Lost Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many items of equipment valued at £10,000 or more his Department lost in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: The Cabinet Office have had no items of equipment valued at £10,000 or more reported lost in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.

Departmental Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what target he has set to reduce headcount across his Department, its non-departmental public bodies and Executive agencies in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: In 2010 I said that we expected to reduce the size of the Cabinet Office by 20% over the spending review period.
	At 31 March 2012 my Department had already achieved a 24% reduction in staffing since the 2010 general election.
	The closure of the National School for Government and Central Office of Information in March 2012 will result in further headcount reductions.

Meetings

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on what dates (a) he, (b) Ministers and (c) senior officials in his Department have met representatives of (i) the Institute for Public Policy Research, (ii) the Taxpayers' Alliance, (iii) the Institute of Economic Affairs, (iv) the Child Poverty Action Group, (v) ResPublica, (vi) the Centre for Social Justice and (vii) Policy Exchange; and if he will publish the minutes and agendas of these meetings.

Francis Maude: Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on the Cabinet Office website at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-external-organisations
	Details of the most senior Cabinet Office officials' meetings with external organisations are published at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/cabinet-office-permanent-secretaries%E2%80%99-meetings-external-organisations
	No central record is kept of other departmental officials' meetings.

Migration

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will estimate the level of net migration per annum which would be required to stabilise the population of the UK below 70 million.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for an estimate of the level of net migration per annum which would be required to stabilise the population of the UK below 70 million (109561).
	The most recent national population projections, based on the resident population at the middle of 2010, were published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 26 October 2011. Under the principal assumption of long-term annual net migration of 200,000, the UK population is projected to surpass 70 million people by 2027. ONS have not carried out any analysis to determine what level of net migration would be required for the population to stabilise below 70 million over the projection period to 2110. However, ONS has produced a number of variant projections based on alternative assumptions of net migration. Under the assumption of long-term annual net migration of 100,000 or less, the UK population would not exceed 70 million by 2035.
	The assumptions underlying national population projections are demographic trend based. They are not forecasts and do not attempt to predict the impact that factors such as future government policies or changing economic circumstances might have on the population. The projections also become increasingly uncertain the further they are carried forward in time.

National Commissioning Academy

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the answer of 19 December 2011, Official Report, column 1010W, on departmental responsibilities, how many graduates of the National Commissioning Academy there will be in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: The Commissioning Academy programme is being piloted during 2012. As part of the pilot process, we will consider what number of commissioners we should take through the Academy programme each year.
	The Academy will bring commissioners from different parts of the public sector together to learn from the most successful commissioning organisations.

New Businesses

Michael Fallon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many new (a) small and (b) medium-sized businesses have been created in (i) Sevenoaks constituency and (ii) Kent local authority area in each of the last two years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 24 May 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many new (a) small and (b) medium-sized businesses have been created in (i) Sevenoaks constituency and (ii) Kent local authority area in each of the last two years.
	Annual statistics on the number of enterprise births are available from 2002 onwards in the ONS release on Business Demography at:
	www.statistics.gov.uk
	The table below contains the latest statistics, which show the number of enterprise births by employee size band in the constituency of Sevenoaks, district of Sevenoaks and the county of Kent for 2009 and 2010.
	
		
			 Count of enterprise births by employee size band in the constituency of Sevenoaks, district of Sevenoaks, and the county of Kent for 2009 and 2010 
			  Constituency Sevenoaks District Sevenoaks Kent county 
			  0-49 small 50-249 medium 0-49 small 50-249 medium 0-49 small 50-249 medium 
			 2009 455 0 575 0 5,435 5 
			 2010 485 0 595 0 5,375 5 
			 Note: The figures have been rounded to the nearest five, to avoid disclosure.

New Businesses

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many new (a) small and (b) medium-sized businesses have been created in (i) Mid Sussex constituency and (ii) West Sussex local authority area in each of the last two years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 24 May 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many new (a) small and (b) medium-sized businesses have been created in (i) Mid Sussex constituency and (ii) West Sussex local authority area in each of the last two years.
	Annual statistics on the number of enterprise births are available from 2002 onwards in the ONS release on Business Demography at:
	www.statistics.gov.uk
	The table contains the latest statistics, which show the number of enterprise births by employee size band in the constituency of Mid Sussex, district of Mid Sussex and the county of West Sussex for 2009 and 2010.
	
		
			 Count of enterprise births by employee size band in the constituency of Mid Sussex, district of Mid Sussex, and the County of West Sussex for 2009 and 2010 
			  Constituency Mid Sussex District Mid Sussex West Sussex County 
			 Year 0-49 Small 50-249 Medium 0-49 Small 50-249 Medium 0-49 Small 50-249 Medium 
			 2009 450 0 635 0 3,210 5 
			 2010 515 0 665 0 3,195 5 
			 Note: The above figures have been rounded to the nearest five to avoid disclosure.

Patients: Death

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the number of deaths in English hospitals caused by (a) malnutrition, (b) dehydration and (c) pressure sores in each year from 2005 by strategic health authority.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 11 June 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what estimate has been made of the number of deaths in English hospitals caused by (a) malnutrition, (b) dehydration and (c) pressure sores in each year from 2005 by strategic health authority. (110123)
	Table 1 provides the number of deaths in hospitals where the underlying cause was (a) malnutrition, (b) dehydration (volume depletion or lack of water) or (c) pressure sores (decubitus ulcers), for strategic health authorities in England between 2005 and 2010 (the latest year available).
	Table 2 provides the number of deaths in hospitals where (a) malnutrition or effects of hunger, (b) dehydration (volume depletion or lack of water) or effects of thirst or (c) pressure sores (decubitus ulcers) were mentioned on the death certificate, either as the underlying cause or as a contributory factor, for strategic health authorities in England between 2005 and 2010 (the latest year available). Where an individual had more than one of the conditions mentioned above, they will be included in the table more than once.
	All of the data in Table 1 is included in Table 2, so you the figures cannot be combined to produce an overall number of deaths.
	Copies of the tables will be placed in the Library of the House.
	Those who die with the conditions specified above are usually already very ill. For example, someone with malnutrition may have cancer of the digestive tract, which means they cannot eat properly or cannot absorb nutrients. In these cases, malnutrition, dehydration or pressure sore will be recorded on the death certificate as a condition that has contributed to the death, but it will not be the underlying cause. Therefore two sets of figures have been provided: the first showing deaths where one of these conditions was the underlying cause of death, and the second where the condition was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, either as the underlying cause or as a contributory factor.
	Moreover, internationally accepted guidance from the World Health Organisation requires only those conditions that contributed directly to death to be recorded on the death certificate. Medical practitioners and coroners are not supposed to record all of the diseases or conditions present at or before death. Whether a condition contributed is a matter for their clinical judgement.
	The figures provided show the number of deaths that occurred in English hospitals. They do not show how or where the specified condition was acquired.
	The number of deaths registered in England and Wales each year by sex, age, cause and place of death are published annually and are available at:
	www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/all-releases.html? definition=tcm%3A77-27475

Pensioners

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people of pensionable age there are in Leicester South constituency.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 24 May 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people of pensionable age there are in Leicester South constituency (109693).
	There were 13,637 people of pensionable age in Leicester South constituency at mid-2010. This is the latest year for which population estimates are available.
	This estimate gives the number of women aged 60 and over, and men aged 65 and over, which is the closest available approximation to state pension age at mid-2010 that can be obtained for population estimates by parliamentary constituency.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the role of Pakistan in facilitating an orderly NATO exit from Afghanistan.

Alistair Burt: Pakistan recognises that a stable Afghanistan is crucial to its own long-term prosperity and security. We welcome Prime Minister Gilani's public support for an Afghan-led political process. Progress on this, and Afghan National Security Forces sustainability is the key to success in Afghanistan.

Arms Trade: Treaties

Anna Soubry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that human rights provisions are included in the UN's Arms Trade treaty.

Alistair Burt: The UK has played a leading role in international efforts since 2006 to secure a robust and effective, legally-binding Arms Trade treaty. As we approach the UN Diplomatic Conference in July to conclude negotiations on the treaty, Ministers and senior officials regularly raise the issue bilaterally and multilaterally with key states to build support for a treaty which will set the highest possible common standards for the international trade in conventional arms, including strong provisions on human rights and international humanitarian law.

Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention

Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage further implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.

Alistair Burt: There are currently 165 states parties to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC). 31 countries remain outside the convention. The UK supports universality of the convention and played a key role in persuading two new states parties, Burundi and Mozambique, to join in 2011. We also ensured that the Seventh Review conference in December 2011 gave greater impetus to promote the convention’s universality and agreed a more action-oriented intersessional work programme to enhance implementation of the convention.
	The Government helped shape a new EU Council Decision on the BTWC, which was cleared by the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee on 9 May. The Council Decision will help implement the decisions of the convention’s Seventh Review conference in December 2011.

British Nationals Abroad: Pensions

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which occasions he and Ministers in his Department have met their counterparts from (a) Australia and (b) Canada to discuss indexation of UK state pensions paid to recipients permanently residing in those countries since May 2010.

Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), discussed this with his Australian counterpart Bob Carr shortly after he took office earlier this year. He also discussed this with his Canadian counterpart, Foreign Minister Baird, in February this year, and with Baird's predecessor, Lawrence Cannon, in July 2010. In these meetings, the Foreign Secretary reiterated our longstanding position that the UK only pays annual index-linked increases where there is a legal requirement, and that this does not apply to British pensioners living in Australia or Canada. We have no plans to change the current arrangement.

Data Protection

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely benefits to the UK derived from the EU exchanging classified information with the US under the terms of EU Council Decision 2007/274/JHA.

David Lidington: EU Council Decision 2007/274/JHA concerns a data-sharing agreements between the EU and the United States. This Decision establishes rules for the sharing of sensitive information. An assessment of this Decision was made by the then Government at the time of its adoption.
	The UK must decide, no later than 31 May 2014, whether to accept full European Court of Justice jurisdiction over those EU police and criminal justice measures adopted before 1 December 2009 that have not been amended or replaced. All of the aforementioned measures fall within the scope of that decision. Officials are undertaking a full analysis of all those measures, which will be reviewed carefully by Government.
	There are a number of similar data-sharing agreements between the EU and third countries which are in the table.
	I have already answered similar questions, related to the Agreements with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Norway, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 26 Mar 2012, Official Report, column 977W, Ukraine 21 May 2012, Official Report, column 447W and am today also answering questions on Croatia, Iceland, and Switzerland.
	
		
			  Decision Official Journal of the European Union Reference 
			 2004 Bosnia and Herzegovina (Council Decision 2004/731/EC of 26 July 2004) OJ L 324, 27.10.2004 
			 2004 Norway (Council Decision 2004/843/CFSP of 26 July 2004) OJ L 362, 09.12.2004 
		
	
	
		
			 2005 The Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Council Decision 2005/296/CFSP/JHA of 24 January 2005) OJ L 94, 13.06.2005 
			 2005 Ukraine (Council Decision 2005/481/CFSP of 13 June 2005) OJ L 172, 05.07.2005 
			 2006 Croatia (Council Decision 2006/317/CFSP of 10 April 2006) OJ L 116, 29.04.2006 
			 2006 Iceland (Council Decision 2006/467/CFSP of 21 November 2005) OJ L 184, 06.07.2006 
			 2007 The United States of America (Council Decision 2007/274/JHA of 23 April 2007) OJ L 115, 03.05.2007 
			 2008 Switzerland (Council Decision 2008/568/CFSP of 24 June 2005) OJ L 181, 10.07.2008 
			 2009 Russian Federation (Council Decision 2010/348/EC of 17 November 2009) OJ L 155, 22.06.2010

Democratic Republic of Congo

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Richmond Park of 23 March 2012, Official Report, column 756W, on the Democratic Republic of Congo, if he will assess the compatibility of drilling for oil in the Virunga National Park and UNESCO World Heritage site in Democratic Republic of Congo with international agreements on nature conservation and world heritage; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: The EU is financing a study of the potential impacts of oil exploration in Virunga. We fully support this work, which we are part funding through our direct contributions to the EU. The decision on whether oil exploration should be allowed to go ahead in Virunga is for the Congolese Government. It is also their responsibility to decide whether drilling for oil in the Virunga National Park is compatible with international agreements on nature conservation and world heritage. We expect countries which have signed up to international conventions to abide by their obligations under them. The Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), made this clear to President Kabila when they met in April.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department takes to monitor the extent to which UK companies trading in minerals from conflict-affected areas of Democratic Republic of Congo, or whose products include components with such minerals, undertake due diligence on their supply chains.

Henry Bellingham: We are working with the international community to find practical and sustainable solutions to the problem of conflict minerals. The UK has played a key role in lobbying for a coordinated approach to developing due diligence guidance. The UK has fed into, supported and promoted the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) guidance for supply chain due diligence and has funded a feasibility study by the OECD on a mechanism to monitor due diligence. We encourage British companies to adhere to these guidelines. The UK is playing an active role in the current stage of the process, which is developing supplementary guidance on gold and other minerals. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has also developed an online tool to help British companies who may be trading in minerals sourced from conflict-affected areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), or whose products include components that include such minerals.
	The UK, alongside the World Bank, is also funding the PROMINES programme, which aims to increase accountability and transparency in the DRC minerals sector. This will help legitimise the trade in minerals and ensure the proceeds stay out of the hands of armed groups.

Disclosure of Information

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the likely benefits to the UK derived from the EU exchanging classified information with Iceland under the terms of EU Council Decision 2006/467/CFSP;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the likely benefits to the UK derived from member states of the EU exchanging classified information with Croatia under the terms of EU Council Decision 2006/317/CFSP.

David Lidington: holding answer 24 May 2012
	EU Council Decisions 2006/467/CFSP, 2006/317/CFSP and 2008/568/CFSP concern data-sharing agreements between the EU and Iceland, Croatia and the Swiss Confederation, respectively. These decisions establish rules for the sharing of sensitive information. An assessment of these decisions was made by the then Government at the time of their adoption.
	The UK must decide, no later than 31 May 2014, whether to accept full European Court of Justice jurisdiction over those EU police and criminal justice measures adopted before 1 December 2009 that have not been amended or replaced. These measures fall within the scope of that decision. Officials are undertaking a full analysis of all those measures, which will be reviewed carefully by Government.

Egypt

Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to increase its public diplomacy and people-to-people contacts in Egypt.

Alistair Burt: We have an active public diplomacy programme in place in Egypt, using culture, sport and education as a common platform for engagement. The British Council runs a range of engagement programmes, including 'Young Arab Voices,' which focuses on developing debating societies; the Active Citizens programme, which connects organisations and people around the world and helps them get involved in local community initiatives; and the Young Creative Entrepreneur programme, to support and connect innovative entrepreneurial leaders in the creative and cultural industries. In Egypt the UK also offers Chevening Scholarships to support study at UK universities
	We are planning a number of events to promote the Olympic legacy, including through the British Council's International Inspiration programme, which will provide opportunities for involving young people in physical education and sport. This will be in partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, National Sports Council, Egyptian Olympic Committee and Egyptian Para Olympic Committee.

Egypt

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on abuses of the rights of women from religious minorities in Egypt.

Alistair Burt: We are aware of reports of abuses affecting women from religious minorities in Egypt. We maintain an open communication channel with representatives of the Coptic Church and other religious minorities through our embassy in Cairo and meetings in the UK.

Egypt

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the scale of abuses of the rights of women from religious minorities in Egypt.

Alistair Burt: We are aware of reports of abuses affecting women from religious minorities in Egypt. We maintain an open communication channel with representatives of the Coptic Church and other religious minorities through our embassy in Cairo and meetings in the UK.
	We have raised the issue of sectarian violence with the Egyptian authorities, and urged them to revisit policies which discriminate on the basis of religion and enshrine the freedom of religion for all faiths in the new Constitution and in law. We have not discussed specific cases of abuses of women with the Egyptian authorities, but we raise women's rights issues as part of our wider dialogue on human rights.

Egypt

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of Egypt on the abuse of women from religious minorities.

Alistair Burt: UK Ministers have raised the issue of sectarian violence in Egypt on a number of occasions with the Egyptian authorities. We have urged them to revisit policies which discriminate on the basis of religion, establish the conditions for pluralist and non-sectarian politics, and enshrine the freedom of religion for all faiths in the new Constitution and in law.
	We have not discussed specific cases of abuses of women with the Egyptian authorities, but we raise women's rights issues as part of our wider dialogue on human rights.

Empty Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  if he will list the empty or largely empty buildings owned by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
	(2)  how many buildings owned by his Department and the bodies for which he is responsible have been empty for more than two years; and if he will make a statement.

David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office runs an estate comprising more than 5,000 properties in 250 locations worldwide. Our portfolio is regularly reviewed to ensure we are getting value for money and maintaining a fit-for-purpose estate.
	We currently have eight properties in seven locations that have been empty for two years or more. Three of these properties are for sale; the other properties may be sold or recycled pending the resolution of either security or administrative issues.
	The following table lists the locations:
	
		
			 Post Property 
			 Colombo Old compound 
			 Berlin House (currently negotiating sale) 
			 Portimao Old office (for sale) 
			 Palma Old office (currently negotiating sale) 
			 Algiers Old embassy 
			 Iraq Former British embassy (outside of International Zone) 
			 Russian Federation Two residential flats

G20

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss fossil fuel subsidy reform at the G20 meeting in June 2012.

Henry Bellingham: The UK will be represented at the June G20 by the Prime Minister.
	Removing fossil fuel subsidies is a priority for the G20 and this Government because of the adverse effects subsidies have on the environment and energy demand. The Prime Minister will use his attendance to take forward efforts to promote global green growth. He will have discussions on a broad range of subjects, including on fossil fuel subsidy reform.

Gibraltar: Spain

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Spanish Government on the recent incursions into British Territorial Waters by the Spanish Guardia Civil.

David Lidington: We are deeply concerned by these incursions, which demonstrate a serious escalation in Spanish interference in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW) and we have protested formally to the Spanish authorities. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), discussed this with Spanish Foreign Minister Garcia-Margallo on 29 May. Spanish agencies do not have any jurisdiction in BGTW. We are confident of UK sovereignty over BGTW and are committed to upholding UK sovereignty. We make this clear to the Spanish Government whenever appropriate.

Gibraltar: Spain

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the effect of the recent incursions by the Spanish Guardia Civil in British Territorial Waters off Gibraltar on the status of relations between the British and Spanish Governments.

David Lidington: We are deeply concerned by these incursions, which demonstrate a serious escalation in Spanish interference in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW) and we have protested formally to the Spanish authorities. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), discussed this with Spanish Foreign Minister Garcia-Margallo on 29 May. Spanish agencies do not have any jurisdiction in BGTW. We are confident of UK sovereignty over BGTW and are committed to upholding UK sovereignty. We make this clear to the Spanish Government whenever appropriate. We do not wish the escalation in illegal action by Spanish agencies to damage the wider relationship which Spain and the UK enjoy.

Gibraltar: Spain

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Spanish government has made to the Government on Gibraltar since May 2010.

David Lidington: Successive Spanish Governments have made representations to the Government about Gibraltar since May 2010. We have made it clear on numerous occasions that the UK's position on sovereignty has not changed and will not change. The UK will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another State against their wishes. Furthermore, the UK will not enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content. We remain committed to furthering co-operation between Gibraltar and Spain through appropriate arrangements for dialogue which are acceptable to Gibraltar.

Gibraltar: Spain

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of delays for people crossing the border between Spain and Gibraltar; and what the reasons were for such delays.

David Lidington: There have been delays of up to three hours for cross-border travel between Spain and Gibraltar in both directions as a result of detailed document and vehicle checks by the Spanish authorities. We are discussing this with the Spanish Government. It is in the interests of communities on both sides of the border that the border functions efficiently.

Gulf Co-operation Council

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effect on the region of the proposed union of six Gulf Co-operation Council members.

William Hague: I am aware that the six GCC states recently discussed closer co-operation in a number of fields during their summit on 14 May. The nature of any union remains unclear and no decisions were taken during the summit. The UK has good relations with all six states and we do not anticipate this changing.

Iran

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the meetings between the UN Security Council Permanent Members, Germany and chief negotiators from Iran in Baghdad.

Alistair Burt: Talks between the E3+3/P5+1 (UK, France, Germany, US, China, Russia) and Iran were held in Baghdad on 23-24 May. We were right to be cautious about the progress that would be made. Each side presented proposals but there was little compromise in discussion and talks ended with a considerable gap still to bridge. Iran did not reject discussion of enrichment to 20%, but in their five-point plan sought to couple it with other issues including non-nuclear ones.
	The E3+3 presented a united front throughout the talks. There was agreement to another round of talks in Moscow 17-19 June and we will work closely with the P5+1 to prepare for these. We are clear on the urgency of resolving this issue and we will not accept an open-ended process.

Israel

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to ensure products from illegal Israeli settlements are not purchased by (a) his Department and (b) UK diplomatic missions abroad, whether directly or through third parties.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) follows UK and EU guidelines when purchasing goods and services from suppliers. Since these guidelines do not currently differentiate between products emanating from Israel or from the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the FCO has not taken any steps in this regard.
	We understand the concerns of people who do not wish to purchase goods exported from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It was in order to enable consumers to make a more fully informed decision concerning the products they buy that, in December 2009, the UK introduced voluntary guidelines to enable produce from Israeli settlements in the occupied territories to be specifically labelled as such. At other partners' request, we have shared our experience of operating this voluntary labelling scheme with interested countries.
	The issue of settlement produce is actively discussed with our EU partners. EU Foreign Ministers, at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 14 May, agreed that:
	“the EU and its Member States reaffirm their commitment to fully and effectively implement existing EU legislation and the bilateral arrangements applicable to settlement products. The Council underlines the importance of the work being carried out together with the Commission in this regard.”
	This ongoing work includes measures to ensure that settlement produce does not enter the EU duty-free, under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and steps to ensure that EU-wide guidelines are issued to make sure that settlement products are not incorrectly labelled as Israeli produce, in violation of EU consumer protection regulations. There are, however, currently no plans for EU or domestic legislation on this issue.

Israel

Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Israeli authorities on the planning process in Area C in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Alistair Burt: We are working with our European partners towards greater Palestinian Authority control over Area C in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including over the planning process.
	The EU's Foreign Affairs Council, in Conclusions agreed on 14 May, called on Israel to meet its obligations regarding the living conditions of the Palestinian population in Area C, including by accelerated approval of Palestinian master plans, halting forced transfer of population and demolition of Palestinian housing and infrastructure, and simplifying administrative procedures to obtain building permits. We will continue to encourage Israel and the Palestinian Authority to work together to achieve these aims.
	Related to this set of issues, we remain concerned about demolitions of Palestinian property in Area C, as well as elsewhere in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We continue to urge Israel to desist from such demolitions, which we consider to be contrary to Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law and harmful to the peace process, as well as causing unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians.
	The UK continues to support Palestinians facing demolition or eviction through our funding of the Norwegian Refugee Council legal aid programme, which helps individuals to challenge these decisions in the Israeli legal system.

Israel

Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the damage to UK-funded or supported projects in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem by the Israeli authorities in the last five years.

Alistair Burt: The UK has not had a specific reason to seek compensation from Israel as no UK-funded projects in the Occupied Palestinian Territories have been destroyed recently. Records at the British embassy in Tel Aviv indicate that the last UK-funded project affected was the demolition of some water facilities near Hebron in 2002. Some projects funded by the EU and other European partners have been affected and are the subject of discussion with the Government of Israel.
	The UK is focussed on preventing demolitions of Palestinian property in the first place, whether funded by the international community or not. We are working with other EU member states to make clear to Israel the need for significant streamlining of the procedure for Palestinians to gain planning permission in Israeli-controlled areas of the West Bank (specifically Area C) and the need to halt all demolitions until a more effective process is in place.

Israel

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 17 May 2012, Official Report, column 271W, on Israel, what the outcomes were of the British Ambassador to Israel's visit to the Negev Coexistence Forum and his meeting with residents of the Bedouin village Al Arakib on 16 May 2012.

Alistair Burt: On 16 May 2012, the British ambassador to Tel Aviv visited the Negev. The trip included a visit to Arad, the unrecognised village of Al Araqib, and Be'er Sheva. The ambassador discussed in depth the situation facing Bedouin in the village of Al Araqib and the realities of living in the southern region of Israel. The visit to Al Araqib was hosted by the Negev Coexistence Forum, an NGO that works to:
	‘provide a framework for Jewish-Arab collaborative efforts in the struggle for civil equality and the advancement of mutual tolerance and co-existence.'
	The ambassador met the village leader and former residents, who had since moved to surrounding areas. The ambassador was briefed on the history of Al Araqib. Residents told him the village had been demolished 37 times. The ambassador said that the British embassy would continue to raise this issue with the Government of Israel and undertook to follow up with Minister Benny Begin following his visit.

Kosovo

Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of EULEX Kosovo.

David Lidington: EULEX has been effective in a highly challenging environment. EULEX judges have handed down verdicts in more than 200 serious criminal cases and 46 verdicts have been delivered in major organised crime and corruption cases. There are nearly 400 ongoing criminal investigations involving EULEX prosecutors. EULEX’s work on missing persons has led to the remains of nearly 300 individuals missing since the war being returned. It has also developed Kosovo’s customs and police to a level advanced of that in the wider region. It is also our firm view that EULEX has the mandate, jurisdiction and resources needed to undertake an objective investigation into the allegations of organ trafficking in Kosovo.
	In light of EULEX’s successes so far, we believe the overall approach of the Strategic Review of its mandate is right and in line with UK priorities for the region. EULEX’s 2012-14 mandate will include downsizing its international and local staff, mainly in customs and police. However, resources will be re-allocated to northern Kosovo and EULEX’s executive mandate to prosecute serious cases, such as corruption and war crimes, so the mission can refocus its efforts and be effective where it is needed.

Lebanon

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the effect on the security situation in Lebanon of the conflict in Syria.

Alistair Burt: We are concerned by recent incidents of violence in Lebanon, which have highlighted the risks that the Syria crisis poses to peace in the region. It is important that Lebanon's stability is not another victim of Assad's repression. We are calling on all Lebanese factions to work together to reduce tensions and prioritise Lebanon's interests. As part of our efforts to strengthen the Lebanese state and Lebanon's stability, we have doubled our assistance to the army and the police.

Libya

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the finding by Human Rights Watch that at least 72 civilians have been killed by NATO air strikes during NATO operations in Libya.

Alistair Burt: The report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) follows previous reports on this issue by Amnesty International and the UN Human Rights Council's Commission of Inquiry (COI). The HRW report found that there may have been 72 civilian casualties as a result of NATO airstrikes, an increase on the 60 estimated by the UN COI report. That report concluded that NATO conducted “a highly precise campaign with a demonstrable determination to avoid civilian casualties”. All NATO airstrikes were meticulously planned, including using precision guided munitions and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to strike legitimate military targets. But in a complex military campaign, the risk of some civilian casualties can never be zero.
	The measures NATO took to avoid civilian casualties are in stark contrast to the actions of the Gaddafi regime, who attacked civilians indiscriminately. UN Security Council Resolution 1973 authorised all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in Libya. We could not have stood by while Gaddafi unleashed violence against his own people.
	NATO has already assisted the UN COI's investigation by providing information in response to each credible allegation of harm against civilians which has been brought to its attention. NATO has no mandate to carry out its own investigations in Libya, but has informed the Libyan authorities that it is ready to co-operate fully with the Libyan Transitional Government's planned review of incidents which affected civilians, when requested to do so.

Maghreb

Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage reform within and co-operation between the Maghreb states.

Alistair Burt: The British Government strongly supports political and economic reform across North Africa as part of our wider work with the region under the Arab Partnership, to which we have committed £110 million over four years.
	Ministers discuss the issue of greater Maghreb economic integration and co-operation on every occasion with their counterparts.
	The Government supports efforts to revitalise the Arab Maghreb Union, and I will host a conference on “The Economy of the Maghreb: a Motor for Regional Co-operation and Prosperity” in July to discuss cross-border trade and employment opportunities with representatives from the region.

Departmental Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what target he has set to reduce headcount across his Department, its non-departmental public bodies and Executive agencies in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: Over the work force planning period from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2015, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) plans to reduce its permanent UK-based staffing by around 10% from a starting strength of around 4,800. We expect to achieve this reduction through a combination of normal staff turnover and voluntary exits.
	We do not have this subdivided as the hon. Gentleman requests but during FY 2010-11, UK-based staffing fell from around 5,000 to roughly 4,800.
	Work force planning in the FCO’s non-departmental bodies and agencies is devolved and information on any targets is not held centrally.

Middle East: Human Rights

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his advice was sought on the recent human rights record of the kings of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in advance of their visit to the UK in May 2012.

Alistair Burt: The King of Saudi Arabia did not visit the UK in May 2012. The King of Bahrain attended a Diamond Jubilee lunch for all world sovereigns on 18 May. This event was organised by the Royal Household, with assistance and co-ordination by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. As a close friend and ally we work with Bahrain on a range of issues and Ministers regularly meet their counterparts in the UK and abroad. They have made clear our concerns about the situation in Bahrain. We support the reforms already underway in Bahrain and we want to help promote that reform. We have consistently encouraged the Government of Bahrain to take further urgent steps to implement in full the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, as His Majesty the King has undertaken to do. Most recently, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised this issue with the Crown Prince of Bahrain on 17 May.

Mozambique

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a Minister in his Department next plans to visit Mozambique.

Henry Bellingham: I visited Mozambique in November last year. I currently have no firm plans for a future visit. The Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), intends to visit Mozambique shortly.

Mozambique

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he or his ministerial colleagues have had with the President of Mozambique on resolving commercial and legal difficulties arising from the treatment of UK companies trading in that country.

Henry Bellingham: I wrote to President Guebuza in March to welcome the work under way to improve the business environment in Mozambique. I emphasised that high quality investors are attracted by an environment where legislation is applied legally, fairly and predictably. During his visit to the UK in May, President Guebuza met the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague). During the discussion Ministers stressed the importance of a transparent business environment and the role UK legislation such as the Bribery Act could play in ensuring that British companies operate transparently overseas.

NATO

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the purpose and terms of reference are of the review being undertaken by the NATO secretariat of NATO’s external audit function; what representations have been made by (a) the UK delegation to NATO and (b) the National Audit Office to the review; when the findings of the review will be presented to member states; when it will be considered by the North Atlantic Council; and if he will make a statement.

David Lidington: The review of the external audit function at NATO is being conducted as part of a comprehensive review of the overall organisation and structure of the alliance that is driven in part by the need to improve efficiency and effectiveness of NATO HQ. Options for strengthening the audit function at NATO are under consideration, including making greater use of national supreme audit institutions. The UK and other allies have not made specific representations on the audit review, but we have been leading efforts to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of NATO. The review is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

NATO

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the International Board of Auditors of NATO completed its audit of NATO’s financial statements for each of the last five years; how many of these accounts were qualified by the auditors; for what reasons; and when these audited financial statements will be published.

David Lidington: In 2011, the International Board of Auditors of NATO issued 33 financial audit reports, which comprised 49 auditor’s opinions on the accounts of NATO bodies and associated organisations. 35 of these accounts received unqualified audit opinions. The board issued 14 qualified, adverse, or disclaimer of audit opinions on the financial statements of nine different entities.
	In 2010, the board issued 29 financial audit reports, which comprised 42 auditor’s opinions on the accounts of NATO bodies and associated organisations. 32 of these accounts received unqualified audit opinions, including two accounts that were corrected and reissued. The board issued nine qualified audit opinions and one disclaimer of audit opinion on the financial statements of eight entities, of which, the majority related to compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
	In 2009, the board issued 32 financial audit reports, which comprised 51 auditor’s opinions on the accounts of NATO bodies and associated organisations. 46 of these accounts received unqualified audit opinions, including three accounts that were corrected and reissued. The board issued three qualified audit opinions and two disclaimer of audit opinions on the financial statements of four entities, of which, all related to compliance with IPSAS.
	In 2008, the board issued 36 financial audit reports, which comprised 46 auditor’s opinions on the accounts of NATO bodies and associated organisations. 40 of these accounts received unqualified audit opinions, including 10 accounts that were corrected and reissued to avoid qualification. The board issued six qualified audit opinions on the financial statements of six entities, of which, four related to compliance with IPSAS.
	In 2007, the board issued 30 auditor’s opinions on the accounts of NATO bodies and associated organisations. It issued 18 unqualified opinions and 11 qualified opinions, of which, six related to IPSAS. It did not issue an audit opinion on the accounts of one NATO agency.
	Qualified audit opinions are always a matter of concern, and we expect NATO commands and agencies to address the shortcomings as a matter of priority.

NATO

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what subjects the International Board of Auditors of NATO has produced performance reports or value for money appraisals in each of the last five years; when these reports will be published; what lessons have been learned; and what changes have been implemented by NATO in response to the findings of these reports.

David Lidington: In 2011 the IBAN issued five performance audit or special reports. These were on Objective Based Budgeting in NATO (Evaluation Phase); Assessing the Implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) within NATO and the Way Forward; the Reform of the Medium term Resource Plan Process; the status of the Implementation of the Internal Audit Function; and the Critical Success Factors for NATO Agencies Reform. While the UK has been pressing for greater transparency on audit reporting, it has not been possible to reach a consensus among Allies to publish these reports. The IBAN’s work has played an important part in the process of continuous improvement in NATO financial management.
	The IBAN conducted several performance audits and studies in 2010. It completed the performance audits on the Implementation of Objective Based Budgeting in NATO (Descriptive Phase) and Real Life Support at Kandahar, Afghanistan. The Board also completed two special reports to the Council. These were on (1) the Second and Third Years of Implementation of IPSAS within NATO and (2) on Strengthening the Role of IBAN in Respect of Management Reviews and Cost Efficiency Assessments.
	The Board undertook both performance audits and studies in 2009. It completed the performance audits on the Management of the NSIP and on the NATO Logistics for Deployed Operations. It also completed follow-up audits of the performance audit of the NATO Early Warning and control system and also on Allied Command Operations Financial Management. The Board finalised fieldwork for the performance audit of the Prevention of Corruption and Fraud in NATO.
	The Board undertook both performance audits and ad hoc studies in 2008. It completed the performance audits on the Customer Funding at the NC3A and on the NATO Logistics for Deployed Operations and issued a special report to the Council on the implementation of IPSAS within NATO.
	The Board undertook both performance audits and ad hoc studies in 2007. It finalised the Survey on Corporate Governance in the NATO agencies. It also carried out ad hoc studies to provide advice to the NATO Committees or to improve its own efficiency and working methods. Further details on the performance reports are available in the IBAN’s Annual Reports which can be found on the NATO website.

North Africa: Middle East

Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many projects have been supported through the Arab Partnership Participation Fund; and how many such projects have been over the value of £500,000.

Alistair Burt: In its first year, financial year 2011-12, the Arab Partnership Participation Fund supported 46 projects. A full list is available on the FCO website
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/global-issues/mena/uk-arab-partnership-projects-2011-2012
	One project had a value over £500,000: a £592,000 multi-country Arabic Question Time project, delivered by BBC Media Action, fostering citizen-state public debate through TV broadcasts that were also available online. The BBC established a dedicated website for the project:
	http://arabmediapartnership.com/en
	In the current financial year (2012-13) the Arab Partnership Participation Fund has so far approved 41 projects worth £7.15 million. Six are worth more than £500,000 over the life-span of the project:
	1. Transparency International (£1 million)—Institutional and network strengthening programme for the middle east and north Africa region;
	2. Westminster Foundation for Democracy (£680,000)—Engaging to strengthen Tunisia's legislative institutions and its multi-party democracy;
	3. BBC Media Action (£1 million)—Supporting the development of public service broadcasting in Tunisia;
	4. National Youth Observatory (£550,000)—Supporting local dialogue and freedom of expression through community radio in Tunisia;
	5. Adyan Foundation, Lebanon (£657,000)—National Strategy for Citizenship and Coexistence Education;
	6. Thomson Reuters(£634,000)—"Aswat Masriya" project for increasing transparency by encouraging conversations between the public and those in power via the media in Egypt.

Official Secrets: EU Law

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely benefits to the UK of the EU exchanging classified information with the Swiss Confederation under the terms of EU Council Decision 2008/568/CFSP.

David Lidington: EU Council Decisions 2006/467/CFSP, 2006/317/CFSP and 2008/568/CFSP concern data-sharing agreements between the EU and Iceland, Croatia and the Swiss Confederation, respectively. These Decisions establish rules for the sharing of sensitive information. An assessment of these Decisions was made by the then Government at the time of their adoption.
	The UK must decide, no later than 31 May 2014, whether to accept full European Court of Justice jurisdiction over those EU police and criminal justice measures adopted before 1 December 2009 that have not been amended or replaced. These measures fall within the scope of that decision. Officials are undertaking a full analysis of all those measures, which will be reviewed carefully by Government.

Olympic Games 2012

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what formal approaches the Government has made to world leaders on attending the London 2012 Olympics.

William Hague: Heads of State and Government are invited to the Olympic and Paralympic games by their respective National Olympic and Paralympic Committees rather than the country hosting the games. We hope that many Heads of State and Government will attend the games and are looking forward to hosting them in the UK. We are also keen to encourage their attendance at the Paralympic games to help raise its profile in the international community.

Olympic Games 2012

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many world leaders he expects to visit London for the London 2012 Olympics.

William Hague: Heads of State and Government are invited to attend the London Olympic and Paralympic games by their National Olympic and Paralympic Committees. It is not yet clear which Heads of State and Government will attend since many will defer finalising their plans until closer to the time. For planning purposes we are using figures based on extrapolation from attendance at previous games.
	The Olympic and Paralympic games are first and foremost a festival of sport and a celebration of human sporting endeavour. But we welcome the opportunity that the games present to demonstrate Britain's qualities to the world and will work to ensure that those that visit us have the best possible experience of their time here. We hope that stronger bilateral relationships will be part of the legacy of the games.

Departmental Administration Costs

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on the administration of his Department in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12.

David Lidington: The Administration expenditure of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for the years 2009-10 and 2010-11 is contained in the published Annual Report and Accounts:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/publications-and-documents/publications1/annual-reports/resource-accounts1
	HM Treasury published the February 2012 forecast outturn for all Government Departments in its 2012 Budget Publication. No FCO funds were transferred to 2012-13 as part of the Budget Exchange scheme.
	The FCO's 2011-12 year-end position is not yet finalised. HM Treasury will provide an update on the expenditure forecasts of all Government Departments in July in the 2012 Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis.

Pakistan

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK citizens are resident in Pakistan.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold this information due to the difficulty in confirming exact numbers. According to the Pakistan Ministry for Tourism, the number of British nationals in Pakistan at any one time is estimated to be approximately 80,000. This figure is made up of about 40,000 visitors and 40,000 residents. These figures include those holding dual British/Pakistani nationality. 275,351 British nationals visited Pakistan in 2010.

Pakistan

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of Pakistan on the abuse of women from religious minorities.

Alistair Burt: Alongside our EU partners, we raise the issues of religious tolerance on a regular basis at a senior level with the authorities in Pakistan. I raised the issue of religious persecution with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan during her visit to London in February.
	It is vital that Pakistan guarantees the rights of all its citizens, regardless of their faith, gender or ethnicity. UK lobbying contributed to the Government of Pakistan's decision to ratify the International Civilian Covenant on Political Rights last year.

Pakistan

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on abuses of the rights of women from religious minorities in Pakistan.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) closely monitors human rights reporting from a variety of sources, including diplomatic, non-governmental organisations and media reporting. This information is summarised in the FCO's 2011 Annual Human Rights Report.
	In the most recent quarterly update to the Human Rights Report, published in March 2012, the FCO expressed concerns over media reports of human rights abuses against women in Pakistan including acid attacks and honour killings, and forced conversions of women from religious minorities.

Pakistan

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the scale of abuses of the rights of women from religious minorities in Pakistan.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office remains concerned about reports of abuses against women of religious minorities in Pakistan. These concerns were expressed in the 2011 Annual Human Rights Report and in the most recent quarterly update, published in March 2012.

Pakistan

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the sentence given to Shakeel Afridi; what assessment he has made of its effect on human rights in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: We are aware of reports that Dr Afridi has been found guilty of treason by a Tribal Court in Pakistan and sentenced to 33 years in prison. We understand that it remains possible for an appeal to be lodged against this conviction.
	Dr Afridi was sentenced under Pakistan's Frontier Crimes Regulation. There have been long-standing human rights concerns over aspects of this legislation. We support the Pakistan Government in implementing the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) reforms, which President Zardari signed last year as a positive step towards addressing these concerns.

Palestinians

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to assist Palestinians whose olive and fruit trees have been destroyed.

Alistair Burt: We appreciate that attacks on olive groves are particularly painful to Palestinians given their status as a national symbol and the sole source of income for many Palestinian farmers.
	Our embassy in Tel Aviv has raised our concerns over such incidents with the relevant Israeli authorities, in particular the office of the Co-ordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, as well as with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We have emphasised that actions taken by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories must be in compliance with Israel's obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law.
	We will continue to support Palestinian farmers through our political lobbying. While we do not provide direct financial support to famers who have lost olive and fruit trees, we do support projects that seek to provide alternative means of income for Palestinians in deprived areas.

Palestinians

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the number of Palestinian trees destroyed in the Wadi Qana valley; and how many convictions there have been for the destruction of such trees.

Alistair Burt: We are aware that nine farmers in the village of Deir Istya in the west bank have received orders from the Israeli authorities to uproot 1,400 olive trees planted in private land which they farm within the Wadi Qana valley. We understand the Israeli military authorities have designated the area as a national reserve. We also note the particular sensitivities around olive trees given their status as a national symbol and the sole source of income for many Palestinian farmers.
	We do not have any statistics on how many convictions there have been for the destruction of olive trees, but the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Aid reports that 90% of all instances of settler violence, including damage to olive trees, are closed without indictment.
	The British embassy in Tel Aviv has raised our concerns over the destruction orders with the relevant Israeli authorities, in particular the office of the Co-ordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, as well as with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We have emphasised that actions taken by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories must be in compliance with Israel's obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law.

Palestinians

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with (a) his international counterparts and (b) humanitarian organisations on the blockade of Gaza; what his policy is on this issue; and what measures his Department is taking to encourage the lifting of the blockade.

Alistair Burt: In close co-ordination with our EU partners and the Office of the Quartet Representative, the UK regularly makes representations at both ministerial and official level to the Government of Israel on the urgent need to ease restrictions on Gaza.
	We are clear that Israeli restrictions on movements of goods and people do serious damage to the economy and living standards of ordinary people in Gaza. The current situation fosters radicalisation and empowers Hamas. An improved economy is not only essential for the people of Gaza, but firmly in Israel's security interests.
	The Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), and I discussed these issues during our respective visits to the region in December 2011 and January 2012. I have subsequently raised this issue with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon. The British ambassador to Tel Aviv also raised the issue with Prime Minister Netanyahu's Chief Negotiator, Yitzhak Molcho, and the Israeli Co-ordinator of Government Activity in the Territories, General Dangot, in March.
	We continue to discuss this issue with EU, other international counterparts and humanitarian organisations. EU Foreign Ministers issued Conclusions from the Foreign Affairs Council on 14 May 2012 stating:
	"Fully recognising Israel's legitimate security needs, the EU continues to call for the immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from the Gaza Strip, the situation of which is unsustainable as long as it remains politically separated from the West Bank. Despite limited progress, the EU urges the government of Israel to take further meaningful and far-reaching steps allowing for the reconstruction and economic recovery of the Gaza Strip, including by allowing trade with the West Bank and Israel."
	The full text of the Conclusions can be found at:
	http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/130195.pdf

Publications

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many publications have been issued by his Department since May 2010.

David Lidington: Many of our diplomatic posts overseas publish documents that are relevant to their work. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold information about these publications centrally and it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Central publications that are made available on our website can be found at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/publications-and-documents

Publications

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) circulars and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department in each of the last two years.

David Lidington: Details of public consultations undertaken by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) are available at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/publications-and-documents/publications1/consultations1/
	Many of our diplomatic posts overseas publish documents that are relevant to their work. The FCO does not hold information about these publications centrally and it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Sri Lanka

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the reasons for the death of Easwarathasan Kietheeswaran, who was deported to Sri Lanka and found dead; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Government have not been asked to make an assessment of the reasons for the death of Sri Lankan national, Easwarathasan Kietheeswaran, who we understand voluntarily returned to Sri Lanka. We understand that the Sri Lankan police are investigating.

Sri Lanka

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on including in the UNHCR contract with Sri Lanka the 100,000 Muslims and Sinhalese internally displaced persons ethnically cleansed in 1990 by the Tamil Tigers from Jaffna in Sri Lanka.

Alistair Burt: The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) defines internally displaced persons (IDPs) as people who have been forced to flee from their home. In Sri Lanka, the UNHCR works to protect and assist people displaced by the conflict within the country. We understand that anyone is free to approach the UNHCR for assistance and that it prioritises its support on the basis of need, with those in IDP camps accorded the highest priority.

Sri Lanka

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the number of internally displaced persons in refugee camps in Sri Lanka.

Alistair Burt: The latest reports from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees indicate that there are 13,365 individuals in internally displaced persons camps around Sri Lanka.
	The total number of internally displaced persons in Sri Lanka is 127,322. Most are living with host families.

Sri Lanka

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the implementation of the closing of the Sri Lankan Manik refugee camp; and by what date the camp is expected to close.

Alistair Burt: A date has not yet been finalised for the closure of the Menik Farm internally displaced persons camp. The Government of Sri Lanka have stated that individuals in the Menik Farm camp will be relocated to the Kombavil site soon.

Sri Lanka

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the suspension of the Colombo-Tuticorine ferry and its effects on the return of Sri Lankan refugees from India to their home country.

Alistair Burt: The Colombo-Tuticorine ferry was suspended in November 2011 when the Indian operator of the ferry ceased this service. The number of refugees returning from India to Sri Lanka reduced as a result.

Sri Lanka

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the independence of the judiciary in Sri Lanka.

Alistair Burt: Sri Lanka has a well-developed judicial system, but there are significant challenges to effective criminal justice and rule of law. I have raised related concerns with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister on a number of occasions.
	The UK consistently urges the Sri Lankan Government to ensure that the law is fairly and independently applied in all cases. We also regularly urge the Sri Lankan Government to improve the human rights situation for vulnerable groups and to investigate incidents that happen and prosecute those responsible.

Sri Lanka

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on difficulties encountered by Sri Lankan businessmen securing visas to travel to the UK to do business.

Alistair Burt: The British high commission in Colombo receives visa applications from a wide range of our commercial contacts. While our objective is to encourage bilateral trade between the UK and Sri Lanka, we need also to ensure our borders are secure.
	We have received some reports of Sri Lankan businessmen encountering difficulties in securing visas to travel to the UK to do business. To reduce these, the British high commission, on 7 December 2011, launched the Business Express Programme (BEP) as a pilot scheme with 20 companies that have credible business links to the UK. The BEP processes visas for staff of these 20 Sri Lankan companies undertaking legitimate business travel to the UK within five working days as opposed to the standard 15 working days for first-time travellers. The programme has a dedicated inquiry line that these companies can use for any questions.
	Following the launch, our UK Trade and Investment Team received a number of inquiries from other interested local companies wishing to join the scheme. The turnaround time for frequent business travellers to the UK who are not part of the BEP is often five working days.
	In addition, our UK Trade and Investment team receives frequent visa-related inquiries from our extensive network of contacts. We reiterate the need to apply in advance with all necessary supporting documents.

Sri Lanka

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the British Council's activity to provide educators for teaching English in Sri Lanka.

Alistair Burt: In 2011-12, the British Council is delivering a comprehensive programme of English-language teaching (ELT) across the country, including: classes for young people, adults and businesses; International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations; training for teachers of English; and multi-media learning opportunities for print, online and broadcast media. It teaches 12,000 students and administers 7,000 IELTS examinations a year.
	The British Council is also working with partners in Sri Lanka to build capacity for the expansion of ELT provision that will provide skills, training, qualifications and access to teaching aids to over 1,500 teachers in the current financial year.
	As a charity and executive non-departmental public body, the British Council sets its own strategy and budgets for the delivery of ELT programmes in Sri Lanka.

Sudan: South Sudan

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterparts from other countries on the UN Security Council on efforts to seek a cessation of attacks on civilian populations and the ability to safely deliver humanitarian aid to displaced people in the Blue Nile and Nuba Mountain regions between Sudan and South Sudan.

Henry Bellingham: We have consistently called on the Government of Sudan and the Sudanese People's Liberation Front-North to cease hostilities immediately, allow humanitarian access to all parts of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states, and enter into a political dialogue to resolve the causes of conflict. This has been the subject of discussion in the UN Security Council on a number of occasions, including under UK chairmanship in March 2012, when a presidential statement was adopted calling for full humanitarian access.
	UN Security Council resolution 2046, unanimously adopted on 2 May 2012 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, requires the parties to the conflicts in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states to reach a negotiated settlement, and urges them to allow humanitarian access in accordance with a plan put forward jointly by the United Nations, Arab League and African Union. Under the resolution, the Council will receive regular reports on its implementation, and we will use these opportunities to continue to press with Security Council counterparts for action to end hostilities, in particular the unacceptable attacks on civilians.

Sudan: South Sudan

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider denying senior members of the government of Sudan diplomatic status and visas and implementing other targeted sanctions and the freezing of foreign held assets to prevent the Sudanese government from violating international humanitarian law in the border regions between Sudan and South Sudan.

Henry Bellingham: UN Security Council resolution 2046 sets out clear obligations for the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan as well as other parties in order to resolve conflicts at the border and in the Sudanese states of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile. The Council expressed its readiness to consider measures under Article 41 of the UN Charter if the parties failed to comply with the obligations set out in the resolution. These could include targeted measures against individuals. The Council will consider action based on reports and recommendations made by the UN Secretary-General on progress in implementing the resolution. We believe that concerted action by the international community, including consideration of sanctions as appropriate, is the best way of ensuring compliance by the parties, rather than unilateral measures.

Sudan: South Sudan

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has considered downgrading diplomatic relations with the government of Sudan in response to abuses of human rights carried out in the border regions between Sudan and South Sudan.

Henry Bellingham: We use our diplomatic relations with Sudan to press for the government to resolve conflicts, address humanitarian and development needs, and end human rights abuses. Having a senior ambassador in Khartoum ensures that we have influence and access to the right levels of government, as well as to a full range of political opposition and civil society groups. Downgrading our relations would reduce our ability to achieve our objectives in Sudan, and signal a lessening of our determination to work with our international partners for peace and stability in the region.

Tunisia

Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to improve UK trade and investment in Tunisia.

Alistair Burt: The UK has worked to help secure an EU mandate to negotiate a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with Tunisia. The DCFTA will bring greater integration with the EU single market as well as regulatory convergence. The EU has also re-launched discussions on the EU-Tunisia Agriculture Agreement. We are also focused on helping UK companies identify new opportunities within the Tunisian market and work closely with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). UKTI held a number of events this year in the UK and Dubai to highlight the benefits to British businesses of investing in north Africa. Each event generated a good level of interest in Tunisia.
	I met with the Tunisian Minister for Vocational Training and Employment, Abdelwaheb Matar, in January. Mr Matar sought co-operation with the UK in all major fields including investment and vocational training; I assured him of UK support.
	Through our Arab Partnership Participation Fund, we are supporting political participation, public voice and good governance. We are doubling funding this financial year to over £2 million. Through the Arab Partnership Economic Facility, the UK is funding the African Development Bank in Tunis to co-ordinate donor support for private sector development in the middle east and north Africa region. This support will help Tunisia's political and economic transition, which will in turn create a better enabling environment for the creation of new and strengthened trading links with Tunisia.

Weapons

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will take steps to co-operate with other countries to develop a legal, humanitarian response to the threat posed to civilians by the development of machines that can autonomously attack humans and human-occupied targets.

Henry Bellingham: The British Government will continue to comply with its obligations under the Geneva conventions and their additional protocols, including their provisions covering the study, development, acquisition or adoption of new weapons, means or methods of warfare. The British Government, by its statements and actions, constantly reaffirms its commitment to uphold the Geneva conventions and its additional protocols and promotes their universal acceptance.

Weapons

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will give an undertaking to its international counterparts that it will not develop, acquire or deploy machines that can autonomously attack humans and human-occupied targets.

Henry Bellingham: The British Government will continue to comply with its obligations under the Geneva conventions and their additional protocols, including their provisions covering the study, development, acquisition or adoption of new weapons, means or methods of warfare. The British Government, by its statements and actions, constantly reaffirms its commitment to uphold the Geneva conventions and its additional protocols and promotes their universal acceptance.

Western Sahara

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to UN Security Council Resolution 2044 (2012), whether Ambassador Christopher Ross visited Western Sahara in March 2012.

Alistair Burt: Ambassador Christopher Ross did not visit Western Sahara in March 2012.

Yemen

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the security situation in Yemen; and what reports he has received about the presence of al-Qaeda in that country.

Alistair Burt: As I said in my written ministerial statement on 24 May 2012, Official Report, columns 91-92WS, the appalling terrorist attack in central Sana'a on 21 May underlines the security challenges and instability facing President Hadi and his Government as they seek to rebuild Yemen following last year's political upheavals.
	Our embassy in Sana'a and widespread media reports indicate that al-Qaeda are mainly located in Southern Yemen and remain a threat to Yemen, the region and the West. I am encouraged by President Hadi's commitment to continue the fight against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The British Government, along with our international partners, remains committed to supporting Yemen to become a stable state, free from the threat of terrorism.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Access to Work Scheme

Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many former claimants of jobseeker's allowance in Motherwell and Wishaw constituency have started the Access to Work Scheme since May 2010.

Maria Miller: Since 1 May 2010 and up to 29 February 2012, 10 former claimants of jobseeker's allowance in Motherwell and Wishaw constituency have started the Access to Work scheme(1).
	(1)Source:
	Access to Work database, 100% WPLS and NOMIS claimant count. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

Action for Employment

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total value is of his Department's contracts with A4e for which there have been fraud investigations; and what the value of the reported fraud was for each such contract.

Chris Grayling: In March 2012, the Department was made aware of an allegation in respect of A4e's Mandatory Work Activity contract. The Department undertook a fraud investigation, which found no evidence of fraud.
	While the team found no evidence of fraud, it identified significant weaknesses in A4e's internal controls on this contract in the south east. As a result, we terminated this contract on 15 May 2012.
	The indicative value over the life of this Mandatory Work Activity contract was £2,656,013. The value of reported fraud was £0.

Atos Healthcare

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what additional payments have been made by his Department to Atos Healthcare to cover costs associated with implementation of the recommendations of the Harrington Review.

Chris Grayling: To date additional payments made to ATOS for costs associated with the implementation of the recommendations of the Harrington Review are £5.47 million.
	In the period April 2011 to March 2012 the total cost of running the Atos Medical Services contract was £112.4 million.

Child Maintenance

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of the Child Support Agency's cases with a positive liability for child maintenance used the Agency's collection service in the last 12 months.

Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and I have seen the response.
	Letter from Noel Shanahan
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of the Child Support Agency’s cases with a positive liability for child maintenance used the Agency’s collection service in the last 12 months
	The following table shows the number of cases where maintenance is due, the number of cases that used the collection service (split by the number paying and not paying), and the number who do not use the collection service and have their own ‘Maintenance Direct’ arrangement between the non-resident parent and the parent with care.
	
		
			 Quarter Ending Maintenance Due Paying via the Collection Service % of cases paying via the Collection Service Using the Collection Service but not currently paying % of cases using the Collection Service but not currently paying Paying Maintenance Direct % of cases paying Maintenance Direct 
			 Jun 2011 862,100 493,900 57 192,700 22 175,400 20 
			 Sep 2011 872,000 502,000 58 193,700 22 176,300 20 
			 Dec 2011 876,300 505,100 58 192,500 22 178,700 20 
			 Mar 2012 872,900 514,100 59 177,100 20 181,700 21

Child Maintenance

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the formula used by the Child Support Agency to determine the liability of a parent without care is a different formula to that previously used.

Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have asked the child maintenance commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and I have seen the response.
	Letter from Noel Shanahan
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the formula used by the Child Support Agency to identify the liability of a parent without care is a different formula to that previously used.
	The Commission currently operates two separate child maintenance schemes: the 2003 scheme, for cases starting after 3 March 2003 and the 1993 scheme for cases that started prior to that date.
	The two schemes have different means of calculating how much maintenance is payable to parent with care of the qualifying child(ren). The 1993 scheme formula was more complicated and required a large amount of information. The amount of maintenance payable depended on the circumstances and income of both the parent with care and the non-resident parent. Although no applications can now be made to the 1993 scheme, the amount of maintenance which clients on this scheme pay is still calculated using this formula.
	Under the 2003 child maintenance scheme, a parent’s maintenance liability is based on a percentage of their net weekly income depending on the number of children a parent is liable to maintain. Deductions are made from their gross earnings to account for income tax, National Insurance Contributions and pensions contributions and the resulting net weekly income is the basis for their child maintenance calculation.
	The percentages used within the statutory maintenance calculation are 15% for one child, 20% for two children and 25% for three or more children. Allowances apply within the maintenance calculation to take into account the overnight shared care the non-resident parent provides for the qualifying child or children and also allowances are made in respect to other children that live within their household.
	Under the new scheme, to be launched later this year, maintenance calculations will be based on a non-resident parent’s gross taxable income which has been supplied to HM Revenue & Customs, usually via the Pay As You Earn system, for most employed people, or self-assessment return (mainly for self-employed people and those with complex tax affairs). This will result in quicker calculations which are based on more reliable income information. Cases will be subject to an annual review to ensure calculations are kept up to date, using, where possible, income information for the non-resident parent’s latest available tax-year.
	Further details for the new scheme are available in the consultation on the new scheme calculation regulations, which closed in February. Details can be found at the following link:
	http://www.childmaintenance.org/en/pdf/Maintenance-Calculation-Regulations-2012-Technical-Consultation.pdf

Complaints

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints about the work of his Department and each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies were received in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: Details of the number of complaints that have been received by the Department and its non-departmental public bodies can be found in the following table.
	
		
			 Number 
			  Complaints received in: 
			 Department 2010-11 2011-12 
			 Department for Work and Pensions (1)91,943 (1)83,407 
			 Independent Review Service 3,517 2,889 
			 Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission 23,200 22,900 
			 Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 Equality 2025 0 0 
			 Health and Safety Executive(2) n/a n/a 
			 Industrial Injuries Advisory Council 0 0 
			 Independent Living Fund 132 62 
			 National Employment Saving Trust 0 1 
			 Pensions Ombudsman 15 (3)33 
			 Remploy 358 112 
			 Social Security Advisory Committee 0 0 
			 The Pensions Advisory Service 8 9 
			 The Pensions Regulator 20 24 
			 n/a = Not available. (1) This figure includes cases that have been received by the independent case examiner. (2) This information is not collected routinely and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. (3)Pensions Ombudsman: In 2011/12, PO received 33 complaints, but only nine of these were capable of being dealt with under their internal complaints procedure as being complaints about the service they provided. The rest were wholly or partly about the determination of the case. They were unable to deal with these as an internal complaint as a decision of the pension ombudsman is final and binding on the parties and can only be overturned on appeal to the High Court. The increase in the number of complaints in 2011-12 was because of the change in the way PO now record complaints, rather than an obvious increase in numbers.

Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many letters to Ministers in his Department were (a) not answered, (b) not answered within six months and (c) not answered within three months in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how many such letters were from hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The information is not available in the format requested other than at disproportionate cost.
	The available information on the Department's and its Agencies' performance in responding to correspondence from hon. Members and Peers is published annually by way of a written ministerial statement from the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude).
	Correspondence statistics for 2010 can be found on 28 March 2011, Official Report, column 1WS. Correspondence statistics for 2011 can be found on 15 March 2012, Official Report, column 31WS.

Disability Living Allowance: Wales

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people who are registered blind are in receipt of disability living allowance in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

Maria Miller: The Department does not hold data on claimants who “register” as being blind with their local authority, however such information as is available is contained in the following table.
	
		
			 Disability living allowance (DLA) recipients with a main disabling condition of blindness, in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire local authorities—November 2011 
			 Carmarthenshire 230 
			 Pembrokeshire 160 
			 Notes: 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Figures do not include people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 3. A diagnosed medical condition does not mean that someone is automatically entitled to DLA. Entitlement is dependent on an assessment of how much help someone needs with personal care and/or mobility because of their disability. These statistics are only collected for administrative purposes. Source: DWP Information Governance and Security Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Employers' Liability

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of employers' insurance arrangements are registered with the Employers' Liability Training Office.

Chris Grayling: The Employers' Liability Tracing Office is a public company limited by guarantee. It advises that 98% of the employers' liability market is registered with it and publishes details of its employer liability policies on its website.

Employment

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what projections his Department has made of future economic activity rates for (a) men and (b) women in each age decile group.

Chris Grayling: The Department does not make projections of activity rates, as figures are already published by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Employment and Support Allowance

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department compiled a risk register in advance of the migration from incapacity benefit to employment and support allowance; and if he will place in the Library a copy of any such risk register.

Chris Grayling: The Department's risk management framework requires that each director general carries out risk assessments to identify threats to the achievement of objectives in their business area.
	For each of our significant reform or change programmes and projects their senior responsible owners are required to maintain risk registers for the risks inherent within their area.
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), does not intend to publish copies of risk registers held by the Department in any form of location.

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of those who have entered the employment and support allowance work-related activity group have left it within a year.

Chris Grayling: These statistics have not previously been published as official statistics. We will consider whether to include the statistics requested in part of an upcoming statistics release in line with the Code of Practice on Official Statistics.

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications for employment and support allowance have come to a final outcome inclusive of results of the appeals process; and how many of these outcomes were the same as the initial Atos decision at the work capability assessment.

Chris Grayling: The Department regularly publishes official statistics on employment and support allowance (ESA) and the work capability assessment (WCA). The latest report was published in April 2012 and can be found on the internet at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.php?page=esa_wca
	Table 4 of the publication mentioned above shows that to date there were 1,116,800 initial functional assessments with an outcome, adjusted to account for outcomes after appeals. Please note that the Department only holds information on appeals once they have been heard by HM Courts and Tribunals Service. Therefore the number above includes claims where the appeals process is still ongoing.
	Statistics that compare Atos recommendations with final outcomes, adjusted to account for outcomes after appeals, have not previously been published as official statistics. We will consider whether to include the statistics requested in part of an upcoming statistics release in line with the Code of Practice on Official Statistics.

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what length of prognosis is given to claimants of employment and support allowance who appeal against decisions that they are fit for work and are placed into the work-related activity group.

Chris Grayling: There is no standard prognosis date in this scenario. When a claimant is found fit for work but their decision is reversed at a Tribunal their case will return to a Decision Maker. At this point a Decision Maker reviews the case and sets the re-referral date.
	In setting the re-referral date, the guidance states that a Decision Maker should take into account a number of factors, including the type of Limited Capability for Work (LCW); whether the LCW is likely to change for better or worse; factors the Tribunal took into account in reaching their decision; and the original prognosis.
	In making this decision, Decision Makers can consult an Atos doctor when further advice would be helpful on a particular case.
	Re-referral dates chosen can be three, six, 12, 18 or 24 months.

Employment and Support Allowance: Durham

Pat Glass: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many appeals have been upheld on employment and support allowance decisions in North West Durham constituency since May 2010;
	(2)  how many people in North West Durham constituency are awaiting decisions on employment and support allowance appeals;
	(3)  how many appeals against employment and support allowance decisions have been (a) registered and (b) heard in North West Durham constituency since May 2010.

Chris Grayling: The Department only holds information on appeals once they have been heard by HM Courts and Tribunals Service. These statistics are published and available on the Department's website:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.php?page=esa_wca
	Constituency level data is not available.

Employment Schemes

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will publish the data his Department holds on job sustainment payments in autumn 2012.

Chris Grayling: The Department is working to guidelines set by the UK Statistics Authority to ensure we are able to publish official statistics on the Work programme that meet high quality standards at the earliest opportunity.
	Official statistics on job outcomes and sustainment payments are expected to be available from autumn 2012.

Employment Schemes

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will institute a single whistleblower line for allegations of fraud against Work programme providers.

Chris Grayling: The Department has no plans to set up a single whistleblower line for allegations of fraud against Work programme providers. All DWP providers on the employment-related support services framework are required to have in place a ‘whistleblower’ system to enable staff to report inappropriate behaviour by colleagues within their organisation, including fraud allegations. Work programme participants concerned about fraud may report this to their Jobcentre Plus adviser.

Employment Schemes

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department's provider assurance team will in future routinely receive all relevant internal audit reports from Work programme providers.

Chris Grayling: DWP will in future, in line with the NAO recommendation, request audit plans from its providers and will request all relevant audit reports.

Employment Schemes

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will conduct a review of complaints made directly to providers by participants on the Work Programme.

Chris Grayling: We have no plans to conduct a review of complaints made directly to Work programme providers by programme participants.
	Providers are required to communicate their own complaints procedure to participants when they are referred to the programme. If a provider cannot resolve a complaint to a participant's satisfaction then the participant can refer their complaint to the Independent Case Examiner, the highest level of complaint investigation in DWP. If a complaint cannot be resolved and the service provider is found to be at fault, then the provider will be required to contribute £5,000 towards the costs of investigating such complaints.
	The Independent Case Examiner will provide feedback on the Work programme provider complaint investigations which have been concluded by his office during the 2011-12 reporting year, including commentary on the adequacy of their complaint processes, in his annual report, due for publication in summer 2012.

Employment Schemes

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will institute short notice or unannounced inspections of Work programme providers.

Chris Grayling: The Department already approaches providers in a number of different ways. The Department uses short notice or unannounced inspections on providers, when necessary, to achieve the appropriate outcome. For instance, with allegations of fraud or when testing the operation of controls, DWP Internal Audit and Investigation have undertaken provider visits at short notice and the Supply Chain Information Assurance Team scope, plan and conduct unannounced ‘access all areas’ visits to providers to look at any aspects of security, record keeping, document storage and retention. The Provider Assurance Team is focused on visits that look at a range of wider issues and require access to individual provider staff, documents and systems, to be able to effectively assess provider controls.

Employment Schemes

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of work being carried out through the Work programme is being undertaken by charitable and voluntary organisations.

Chris Grayling: An exercise undertaken in March 2012 identified that 29.8% of initial referrals to the Work programme were to the voluntary and community sector.

Employment Schemes: Graduates

Alec Shelbrooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to ensure graduates participating in the Work Programme gain additional skills and career progression opportunities; how this is measured; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The Work programme is designed to support a wide variety of claimants, including graduates, back into sustained employment. Work programme providers have the flexibility to choose how they deliver support based on individual need. The type and nature of the support offered and the delivery of the provision is driven by the provider's delivery model and the individuals' participation requirements.
	The Department has commissioned the Institute for Employment Studies to undertake an independent evaluation of the Work programme. This evaluation will consider the effectiveness of the programme for different types of participants.

Employment Schemes: Stoke-on-Trent

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people in Stoke-on-Trent Central constituency have been on the Work programme without finding work for longer than (a) three months, (b) six months, (c) nine months and (d) 12 months;
	(2)  how many people in Stoke-on-Trent local authority area have been on the Work programme without being placed in a job for longer than (a) three months, (b) six months, (c) nine months and (d) 12 months.

Chris Grayling: The data requested are not available.
	Official statistics on job outcomes are expected to be available from autumn 2012. The release strategy for statistics on job outcomes is dependant on the availability, reliability, quality and accuracy of the data and the details of what we will publish are still to be finalised. When details are finalised an announcement will be made on the Department's website.

Employment Schemes: Stoke-on-Trent

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Stoke-on-Trent Central constituency and (b) Stoke-on-Trent local authority area have (i) been referred in total to participate in the Work programme, (ii) been referred to the employment and support group to participate in the Work Programme, (iii) been referred to Serco to participate in the Work programme and (iv) have successfully found work as a result of participation in the Work programme.

Chris Grayling: Statistics on how many people in (a) Stoke-on-Trent Central constituency and (b) Stoke-on-Trent local authority have (i) been referred in total to participate in the Work programme, (ii) been referred to the employment and support group to participate in the Work programme, (iii) been referred to Serco to participate in the Work programme have been published and are available on the Department's website. Figures can be viewed via the DWP tabulation tool using this link:
	http://83.244.183.180/WorkProg/tabtool.html
	Information on the number of people who have successfully found work as a result of participating in the Work programme is not currently available. The Department aims to publish official statistics on Work programme job outcomes in autumn 2012.

Employment Schemes: Stoke-on-Trent

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) proportion and (b) number of participants on the Work programme in (i) Stoke-on-Trent Central constituency and (ii) Stoke-on-Trent local authority are now (A) in full-time employment, (B) in part-time employment, (C) in full-time permanent employment, (D) in full-time employment on a fixed-term contract, (E) in full-time temporary employment, (F) in part-time permanent employment, (G) in part-time employment on a fixed-term contract, (H) in part-time temporary employment, (I) in temporary employment, (J) on an apprenticeship or training scheme and (K) unemployed.

Chris Grayling: The data requested are not available.
	Official statistics on job outcomes are expected to be available from autumn 2012. The release strategy for statistics on job outcomes is dependant on the availability, reliability, quality and accuracy of the data and the details of what we will publish are still to be finalised. However data available to break down job outcomes by employment type are expected to be limited. When details are finalised an announcement will be made on the Department's website:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=wp

Employment Schemes: West Midlands

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people from (a) the West Midlands, (b) Coventry and (c) Coventry North East constituency have been on the Work programme for more than one year.

Chris Grayling: The data requested are not available.
	The Work programme was launched nationally on 1 June 2011. Once referred, claimants remain on the Work programme for two years or until they find sustained employment and the provider has claimed all available payments for the time the individual spends in employment (or it is deemed that Work Choice is better equipped to meet their needs).
	The latest official statistics on Work programme referrals and attachments up to the end of January 2012 were published on 9 May 2012 on the Department's website:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=wp
	Official statistics on job outcomes and sustainment payments are expected to be available from autumn 2012.

Employment Schemes: Young People

Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employers in Motherwell and Wishaw constituency have received the incentive payment for employers that take on young people as apprentices under the Youth Contract.

Chris Grayling: The Youth Contract includes funding for two distinct and alternative routes for the incentivised employment of apprentices. Wage incentives can be claimed from DWP where a Work programme participant is recruited into an apprenticeship that lasts at least 26 weeks. No wage incentives have yet been paid because the earliest possible eligibility will be eight weeks (for smaller employers) after the launch of the Youth Contract on 2 April.
	Apprenticeship Grants for Employers, which are aimed at SMEs recruiting their first apprentice, are also available. Responsibility for these grants lies with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Information is not currently available on the numbers of young people recruited in this way.

Fraud

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the level of (a) procurement and (b) other fraud affecting his Department’s spending in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The Department treats any allegation of fraud by contractors very seriously. Any fraud is completely unacceptable. Where we identify, or are notified of, allegations of contractor fraud, these cases are investigated thoroughly by the DWP’s professionally trained and experienced investigators to a standard required to support reference to the police whenever evidence of criminal offences is discovered.
	There are a range of departmental controls in place to minimise fraudulent activity in all dealings with suppliers. Potential suppliers’ staff are expected to preserve the highest standards of fairness, honesty, efficiency and professionalism. Robust governance arrangements during each procurement exercise, a system of delegated procurement authority with clear segregation of duties contribute significantly in helping to detect and deter potential procurement fraud. A commercial assurance team ensures compliance with all key policies and maintains a register of any potential conflicts of interest. There have been no recorded incidents of procurement fraud by DWP staff in 2010-11 or 2011-12.
	The DWP has introduced a number of mandatory contractual terms and conditions aimed solely at preventing supplier fraud. These are mandatory within all of our contracts and oblige the suppliers to instigate a range of measures aimed at preventing fraud within their organisation. As well as being required, contractually, to adhere to the fraud prevention measures, these principles are reinforced in the DWP Supplier Charter, which is a set of principles that outline how DWP, and its suppliers, will work together to help DWP achieve its strategic objectives and support its values. There is no mechanism for formally estimating the value of fraud within the supply chain, e.g. fraud carried out by third-party suppliers, their employees or subcontractors.
	In 2010-11, there were four cases of false representation in contracted employment programmes, resulting in a total loss of £67,000, of which, £31,600 has so far been recovered. In 2011-12, there were four cases of false representation with a total loss of £59,000, of which, £21,400 has so far been recovered. Recovery action is ongoing. These eight cases occurred under new deal, European social fund and Workstep contracts established by the previous Government. The recently published NAO report, “Preventing fraud in contracted employment programmes”, notes that the value of losses due to false representation in contracted employment provision recorded since 2006 is equivalent to an average of £128,906 per year, which is around 0.01% of total spending on employment programmes.
	Estimates of the level of fraudulent benefit claims are provided within “Fraud and Error in the Benefit System: Preliminary 2011/12 Estimates” and “Fraud and Error in the Benefit System: 2010/11 Estimates”.
	These national statistics are published and available on the Department’s website at:
	http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd2/index.php?page=fraud_error

Hewlett Packard: Redundancy

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has put in place to assist any workers who may lose their jobs at Hewlett Packard to find alternative employment.

Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions, through Jobcentre Plus, offers a free at the point of contact Rapid Response Service (RRS) that aims to minimise the impact of redundancies by supporting people back into work and helping them navigate their way through the benefit system.
	A letter was sent on 29 May 2012 from Department for Work and Pensions Work Services Director, Ruth Owen, to Howard Hughes Chief Executive Officer, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services, formally offering Jobcentre Plus RRS support and the services of a named contact to co-ordinate that support nationally.

Housing and Council Tax Benefits

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of (a) council tax and (b) housing benefit was paid to tenants in (i) the private rented sector and (ii) social rented tenant sector in each year since 1990.

Steve Webb: The information for housing benefit is in the following table. Note that the breakdown of expenditure into private rented and social rented sectors is only available since 1992. The corresponding breakdown for council tax benefit is not available.
	
		
			 Proportion of housing benefit expenditure spent on private rented sector and social rented sector tenants in each year 
			 Percentage 
			  Private Social 
			 1992-93 33 67 
			 1993-94 35 65 
			 1994-95 35 65 
			 1995-96 35 65 
			 1996-97 34 66 
			 1997-98 31 69 
			 1998-99 29 71 
			 1999-2000 27 73 
			 2000-01 26 74 
			 2001-02 24 76 
			 2002-03 24 76 
			 2003-04 24 76 
		
	
	
		
			 2004-05 25 75 
			 2005-06 27 73 
			 2006-07 29 71 
			 2007-08 30 70 
			 2008-09 33 67 
			 2009-10 38 62 
			 2010-11 40 60 
			 Note: These figures are consistent with the latest published expenditure outturn and forecasts by tenure available at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/budget_2012_2205.xls Source: End of year Local Authority subsidy returns and DWP statistical data

Housing Benefit

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on housing benefit in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11; how much his Department has spent on housing benefit in 2011-12 to date; and how much he expects to be spent on each housing benefit in (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13, (iii) 2013-14 and (iv) 2014-15.

Steve Webb: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 £ million 
			  Outturn Outturn Estimate Forecast Forecast Forecast 
			  2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 
			 Nominal terms       
			 Total housing benefit expenditure 19,989 21,429 22,706 23,216 22,568 22,674 
			 of which:       
			 DWP funded 19,603 21,029 22,270 22,763 22,109 22,210 
			 Funded by local authorities 386 401 435 453 459 464 
			        
			 Real terms (2012-13 prices)       
			 Total housing benefit expenditure 21,549 22,492 23,319 23,216 22,018 21,582 
			 of which:       
			 DWP funded 21,133 22,072 22,872 22,763 21,570 21,140 
			 Funded by local authorities 416 421 447 453 448 442 
			 Notes: 1. Figures may not sum exactly due to rounding. 2. Some elements of housing benefit expenditure are funded from local authorities' funds, and are not reimbursed by DWP. Figures shown do not take account of the introduction of universal credit, which will gradually take over the support provided by housing benefit. 3. Further benefit expenditure outturn data and forecasts can be found using the following URL: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/index.php?page=expenditure Source: Local authority subsidy returns.

Housing Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost to the public purse was of housing benefit paid to (a) all claimants, (b) claimants aged 18 to 21, (c) claimants aged 18 to 21 who also claim jobseeker's allowance and (d) claimants aged 18 to 21 years claiming employment support allowance or incapacity benefit in the latest period for which figures are available.

Steve Webb: The information is in the following table for 2010-11, the latest period for which these figures are available.
	
		
			  Estimated housing benefit expenditure 2010-11 (£ millions) 
			 (a) All HB claimants 21,429 
			 (b) HB claimants aged 18 to 21 844 
			 (c) HB claimants aged 18 to 21 also receiving jobseeker's allowance 230 
			 (d) HB claimants aged 18 to 21 also receiving employment and support allowance or incapacity benefit 84 
			 Notes: 1. The breakdown of HB expenditure into groups (b), (c) and (d) is estimated based on a combination of statistical data and local authority subsidy returns, as outturn expenditure data are not available at this level. 2. These estimates are consistent with the latest published expenditure outturn available at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/budget_2012_2205.xls

Housing Benefit

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what consultation he has undertaken on direct payment of housing benefit to tenants under universal credit.

Chris Grayling: As the November 2010 Welfare Reform White Paper noted, paying the housing element of universal credit to the individual rather than direct to the landlord encourages people to manage their own budget in the same way as other households. But it also recognises the importance of stable rental income for landlords.
	Over the past 18 months, my officials have discussed direct payments with a range of national and local organisations. As a result, we are launching six demonstration projects in June 2012 to allow the finalisation of their design, including mechanisms to protect the revenue streams of landlords.

Housing Benefit: Lone Parents

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps will be taken to protect single parents with shared custody arrangements from the under-occupancy penalty.

Steve Webb: Housing benefit rules for those in the private and social rented sectors only provide for children to be included in the housing costs of one parent at any one time where shared custody arrangements are in place. While we have no plans to change this at present, local authorities can make a discretionary housing payment where they consider there is sufficient justification for additional payments. Local authority staff are better able to judge what is appropriate on a case-by-case basis and to target resources where needed.

Income Support

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many income support claimants there were in each category in each of the last 30 years.

Chris Grayling: Statistics for the number of income support claimants in each category in each of the last 30 years are available from 5% data from 1997 and are published on the Department's website at:
	http://83.244.183.180/5pc/is_prim/tabtool_is_prim.html
	Statistics for the number of income support claimants in each category in each of the last 30 years are available from 100% data for 1999 to 2011 and are published on the Department's website at:
	http://83.244.183.180/100pc/is/tabtool_is.html
	The information requested is not available electronically prior to 1997. It is, however, publicly available via the Library.
	Guidance for users is available at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/tabtools/guidance.pdf

Income Support

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department made of the number of people dependent on income support claimants in each category in each of the last 30 years.

Chris Grayling: Statistics for the number of people dependent on income support claimants are available from 5% sample data for 1997 to 1998 and are published on the Department's website at:
	http://83.244.183.180/5pc/is_prim/tabtool_is_prim.html
	Statistics for the number of people dependent on income support claimants are available from 100% data for 1999 to 2011 and are published on the Department's website at:
	http://83.244.183.180/100pc/is/tabtool_is.html
	The information requested is not available electronically prior to 1997.
	Guidance for users is available at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/tabtools/guidance.pdf

Income Support

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many dependent children there were of income support claimants who were (a) over 60, (b) under 60 and disabled, (c) under 60 and a lone parent, (d) under 60 and unemployed, (e) under 60 and in government-funded training and (f) another category in each of the last 30 years.

Chris Grayling: Statistics for the number of dependent children there were of income support claimants are available from 5% sample data for 1997 to 1998 and are published on the Department's website at:
	http://83.244.183.180/5pc/is_prim/tabtool_is_prim.html
	Statistics for the number of dependent children there were of income support claimants are available from 100% data for 1999 to 2011 and are published on the Department's website at:
	http://83.244.183.180/100pc/is/tabtool_is.html
	The information requested is not available electronically prior to 1997.
	Guidance for users is available at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/tabtools/guidance.pdf
	Statistics on Government-funded training and unemployed have not previously been published as official statistics. We will consider whether to include the statistics requested in part of an upcoming statistics release in line with the Code of Practice on Official Statistics.

Income Support

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) housing benefit and (b) council tax benefit recipients were (i) in receipt and (ii) not in receipt of income support in each of the last 30 years.

Maria Miller: The information as requested is not available prior to November 2008. Such information we have is shown in the following tables:
	
		
			 Housing benefit (HB) recipients, Great Britain, November 2008 to February 2012 
			 Number 
			  Total HB caseload Of which are in receipt of income support Of which are not in receipt of income support 
			 November 2008 4,171,940 1,516,930 2,655,010 
			 February 2009 4,301,790 1,505,510 2,796,280 
			 February 2010 4,700,160 1,446,420 3,253,740 
			 February 2011 4,865,400 1,337,890 3,527,510 
			 February 2012 5,004,500 1,175,200 3,829,300 
		
	
	
		
			 Council tax benefit (CTB) recipients, Great Britain, November 2008 to February 2012 
			 Number 
			  Total CTB caseload Of which are in receipt of income support Of which are not in receipt of income support 
			 November 2008 5,149,390 1,571,740 3,577,650 
			 February 2009 5,305,980 1,559,660 3,746,320 
			 February 2010 5,727,140 1,492,760 4,234,380 
			 February 2011 5,854,110 1,374,530 4,479,580 
			 February 2012 5,919,550 1,199,680 4,719,870 
			 Notes: 1. Recipients are as at second Thursday of the month. 2. Components may not sum to total due to rounding. 3. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 4. Data for those HB/CTB recipients with income support are not available prior to the introduction of SHBE. Data from November 2008 onwards are derived from the new SHBE extract which is a monthly electronic scan of claimant level data direct from local authority computer systems, whereas earlier years are derived from quarterly aggregate clerical returns. Figures from the two sources may not be directly comparable; the introduction of SHBE has improved the accuracy of HB/CTB statistics as it is based on individual claimant records rather than summary statistics, has a higher completion rate from local authorities leading to less estimation of missing data, and is subject to more thorough quality assurance 5. Figures are derived from published data at: http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=hbctb 6. Figures prior to November 2008 are published at the link below however income support recipients are not separately identifiable as they are combined with pension credit recipients. http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/hb_ctb/index.php?page=hbctb_arc Source: Single Housing Benefit Extract (SHBE).

Industrial Health and Safety: Stress

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment the Health and Safety Executive has made of the effect of long-term trends in workplace stress on the mental and physical health of workers.

Chris Grayling: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has not made any specific assessments of the effect of long-term trends in workplace stress on the mental and physical health of workers. HSE has produced guidance on the management of work-related stress and further information is available on HSE's website.

Jobcentre Plus: Hearing Impairment

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements his Department has put in place to ensure that people who are deaf or hearing impaired can communicate with Jobcentre Plus offices.

Maria Miller: The Department, through Jobcentre Plus, recognises its responsibilities to make reasonable adjustments for those of its clients for whom the standard telephony channel is not suitable. It is also recognised that people sometimes need to contact Jobcentre Plus urgently, for example to rearrange appointments.
	To help ensure deaf and hearing impaired people have full access to its services the Department has taken a number of steps.
	Hearing loops are available in offices and textphones are offered as an alternative to telephones; textphone numbers are advertised on relevant websites and included in communication materials. The DWP introduced Texbox in late 2009 to improve access to textphone services; this desktop application enables staff to answer textphone calls more effectively using their PCs.
	The Department uses a framework of suppliers to provide a range of communication methods, including British Sign Language; lip speakers; sign language communicators and note takers. Jobcentres can arrange for these communicators to be available in offices to support deaf and hearing impaired clients at interviews.
	The DWP can also communicate with people via email if this is needed as a reasonable adjustment relating to a disability.

Jobcentre Plus: Wales

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many redundancies there have been from Jobcentre Plus in Wales since May 2010.

Chris Grayling: No employees have been made compulsorily redundant or accepted voluntary redundancy terms in Jobcentre Plus in Wales since May 2010.

Jobcentre Plus: Wales

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Jobcentre Plus centres in Wales have been closed since May 2010.

Chris Grayling: Since May 2010, the following Jobcentre Plus sites have been closed in Wales:
	Caerphilly Contact Centre on 10 February 2012
	The following sites were temporary Jobcentres opened in response to the economic downturn in 2009 for a specific period. They closed on the dates given and the staff and customers were absorbed back into the existing Jobcentres in these locations.
	Wrexham on 28 March 2011
	Rhyl on 16 December 2011
	Merthyr Tydfil on 9 December 2011
	Port Talbot on 16 December 2011

Jobcentre Plus: Wales

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are employed in Jobcentre Plus in Wales on temporary contracts.

Chris Grayling: I can confirm that at 30 April 2012, there are no employees in Wales on a temporary contract.
	In answering the hon. Gentleman’s question the following points need to be noted:
	From April 2012 Jobcentre Plus ceased to exist for reporting purposes.
	I have checked our new reporting structures against the work previously carried out within Jobcentre Plus to provide a ‘best fit’ answer to your request.
	We work to ONS definitions for reporting purposes. The definition of ‘temporary contract’ is an employee with a contract lasting or expected to last 12 months or less.

Jobcentre Plus: Wales

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people who worked at Jobcentre Plus in Wales between 2009 and 2012 on temporary contracts are no longer employed at Jobcentre Plus.

Chris Grayling: Please see table which answers the hon. Gentleman’s question but please note the following points:
	We work to ONS definitions for reporting purposes. The definition of 'temporary contract' is an employee with a contract lasting or expected to last 12 months or less.
	Fiscal years have been used to provide the most recent information.
	Information is provided for both headcount and full time equivalent (FTE) totals.
	At March 2010 we had 114 temporary staff leave the Department. By April 2012 there were no staff within Jobcentre Plus in Wales on a temporary contract. Please see response today to PQ 109653.
	
		
			 JCP temporary leavers 
			  Headcount FTE 
			 April 2009 to March 2010 114 107.33 
			 April 2010 to March 2011 82 82 
			 April 2011 to March 2012 0 0

Jobseeker's Allowance: Birmingham

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people claiming jobseeker's allowance in Selly Oak constituency have been placed on sanctions in the last year.

Chris Grayling: Statistics on how many people claiming jobseeker's allowance in Selly Oak constituency who have been placed on sanctions in the last year have not previously been published as official statistics. We will consider whether to include the statistics requested in part of an upcoming statistics release in line with the Code of Practice on Official Statistics.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Lone Parents

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has made an assessment of the observation in the University of the West of England / SPAN Longitudinal qualitative study of the journeys of single parents on jobseeker’s allowance, published in May 2012, that meeting a different adviser on each visit is unsatisfactory and of the recommendation in that study that his Department should reinstate the role of lone parent advisors.

Chris Grayling: We are committed to ensuring all lone parents have the support they need to find work quickly.
	At the outset of the claim to JSA, everyone sees a personal adviser to discuss and agree a jobsearch plan and the support needed from their personal adviser. Since April 2011, personal adviser support beyond the new claims stage is delivered through flexible interventions tailored to individual need and delivered by the same person wherever possible. As part of this, and over and above the flexible interventions agreed at the outset of the claim, claimants can ask to see their personal adviser at any time.
	All personal advisers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to support the diverse needs of individual claimants, including lone parents with caring responsibilities.
	In addition to the agreed flexible interventions provided by a personal adviser, claimants are usually required to attend fortnightly jobsearch reviews undertaken by assistant advisers. These relatively short contacts provide regular opportunities to monitor progress and to provide feedback to personal advisers, particularly where additional help is needed. As the report acknowledges, claimants do not always see the same person each time they attend a jobsearch review, but they do see someone from the same team who has undergone the same training route way. Where additional help is required, the claimant is referred to their personal adviser.
	In view of the above, I have no plans to reinstate bespoke lone-parent advisers.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Telephone Services

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average length of time waited was by callers to jobseeker's allowance advice lines in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: The latest period for which data are available is April 2012.
	The average length of time waited by callers to jobseeker’s allowance advice lines during April 2012 was:
	First Contact (Jobseeker’s Allowance New Claims)—April 2012 (07/04—04/05)
	Average wait time to answer—two minutes 45 seconds
	JSA Inquiries (Jobseeker’s Allowance Existing Claims)—April 2012 (07/04—04/05)
	Average wait time to answer—three minutes 59 seconds
	Please note that figures for April will have been significantly impacted by both increased seasonal demand at the start of the new business year and condensed demand following bank holidays and so do not necessarily provide representative figures of CCS performance under the conditions encountered during the majority of the operational year.
	All figures represent wait time from customer entry into the relevant queue excluding any time spent progressing through any messaging presented prior to the queue being reached. Figures for both service lines will include all calls received including inappropriate/misdirected contact.

Lost Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many items of equipment valued at £10,000 or more his Department lost in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The Department maintains fixed asset register records of certain high-value property that it owns, such as specialist IT equipment and plant and machinery. During 2011-12 and 2010-11 no items greater than £10,000 in value were reported as lost.

Departmental Staff

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many full-time equivalent employees his Department employed in May 2010; and how many it employed at the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: The number of full-time equivalent staff employed in the Department for Work and Pensions at 31 May 2010 and 31 March 2012 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  31 May 2010 31 March 2012 
			 Full-time equivalent 107,087 88,626

Departmental Staff

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many full-time equivalent employees have (a) left and (b) been recruited to his Department in the last two years.

Chris Grayling: The number of full-time equivalent employees who have (a) left and (b) been recruited to the Department in the last two years is shown in the following table.
	The Government introduced a recruitment freeze across all civil service and their non-departmental bodies from 24 May 2010. Frontline and business-critical posts and the civil service fast stream are exempt from the recruitment freeze; however specific departmental approval is required for posts recruited under these exemptions.
	The recruitment figures shown include recruitment authorised under exemptions to the freeze and where legally binding job offers had been made prior to the freeze commencing.
	
		
			 Department and its agencies Permanent Fixed term appointment Temporary(1) Total 
			 Leavers     
			 2010-11 3,909 6,412 454 10,775 
			 2011-12 4,869 4,432 135 9,436 
			      
			 Recruitment     
			 2010-11 134 267 156 557 
			 2011-12 44 321 127 492 
			 (1) Temporary staff are staff on the departmental payroll who have been hired on short-term casual contracts.

Departmental Staff

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff (a) his Department and (b) its agencies employs in each parliamentary constituency.

Chris Grayling: The information has been placed in the Library. The figures refer to the ministerial department. The executive agencies—Jobcentre Plus and the Pension, Disability and Carers Service—ceased to have legal status from October 2011.

Meetings

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what dates (a) he, (b) Ministers and (c) senior officials in his Department have met representatives of (i) the Institute for Public Policy Research, (ii) the Taxpayers’ Alliance, (iii) the Institute of Economic Affairs, (iv) the Child Poverty Action Group, (v) ResPublica, (vi) the Centre for Social Justice and (vii) Policy Exchange; and if he will publish the minutes and agendas of these meetings.

Chris Grayling: The information the hon. Gentleman requested can be found via the following link to the Department’s website at
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/corporate-publications/ministers-meetings-overseas.shtml
	The information for the period 1 October 2011 to 31 December 2011 and 1 January 2012 to 31 March 2012 is currently being collated and will be published in due course.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends to answer the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton of 16 April 2012 with regard to Noulyn McFarquhar.

Chris Grayling: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), replied to the right hon. Member on 9 May 2012.

Mutual Societies

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of full-time equivalent staff who will transfer from his Department, its non-departmental public bodies and Executive agency workforce to a mutual in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: In 2011-12, the Department transferred 503 CSP staff to a mutual. There are currently no further plans to transfer any staff from the Department or its non-departmental public bodies to a mutual in either 2011-12 or 2012-13.
	The Department has no Executive agencies.

New Enterprise Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the reasons for the level of the number of black and minority ethnic people that have accessed the new enterprise allowance.

Chris Grayling: It is too early to make an informed assessment of reasons behind the percentage of ethnic minority people who have taken up the new enterprise allowance (NEA). We will continue to monitor and evaluate NEA performance and the level of its take-up by ethnic minority groups.

Nuclear Power Stations: Safety

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many incidents indicating that the safe operation of any nuclear power station may have been affected have been reported to the Office for Nuclear Regulation in each of the last 10 years.

Chris Grayling: These statistics are published and available on the Health and Safety Executive's website:
	http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/quarterly-stat/index.htm

Nuclear Power Stations: Safety

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many investigations of incidents and complaints have been undertaken by the Office of Nuclear Regulation at each nuclear power station in each of the last 10 years.

Chris Grayling: The Office for Nuclear Regulation does not have detailed records of this specific data for the full 10-year period requested. However, the organisation has investigated 434 incidents since 2007 and conducted seven investigations into six complaints since 2006. These are broken down by site in Table 1 as follows.
	
		
			 Table 1: Incidents and complaints on nuclear sites by year 
			 Incidents 
			  Total incidents Source of incidents Number of incidents 
			 2012 41 Dungeness B 7 
			   Hartlepool 3 
			   Heysham 1 4 
			   Heysham 2 6 
			   Hinkley Point B 10 
			   Hunterston B 1 
			   Sizewell B 5 
			   Torness 4 
			   Wylfa 1 
			     
			 2011 132 Berkeley(1) 1 
			   Bradwell(1) 4 
			   Chapelcross(1) 1 
			   Dungeness A(1) 7 
			   Dungeness B 16 
			   Hartlepool 6 
			   Heysham 1 4 
			   Heysham 2 15 
			   Hinkley Point A(1) 3 
			   Hinkley Point B 12 
			   Hunterston B 7 
			   Oldbury 8 
			   Sizewell A(1) 1 
			   Sizewell B 13 
		
	
	
		
			   Torness 13 
			   Trawsfyndd(1) 7 
			   Wylfa 14 
			     
			 2010 67 Berkeley(1) 3 
			   Bradwell(1) 4 
			   Chapelcross(1) 4 
			   Dungeness A(1) 5 
			   Hartlepool 6 
			   Heysham 1 4 
			   Heysham 2 6 
			   Hinkley Point A(1) 1 
			   Hinkley Point B 3 
			   Hunterston A(1) 2 
			   Hunterston B 2 
			   Oldbury 1 
			   Sizewell A(1) 3 
			   Sizewell B 9 
			   Torness 7 
			   Trawsfynydd(1) 2 
			   Wylfa 5 
			     
			 2009 51 Bradwell(1) 1 
			   Chapelcross(1) 4 
			   Dungeness B 3 
			   Hartlepool 2 
			   Heysham 1 3 
			   Heysham 2 5 
			   Hinkley Point A(1) 1 
			   Hinkley Point B 4 
			   Hunterston A(1) 4 
			   Oldbury 5 
			   Sizewell A(1) 5 
			   Sizewell B 2 
			   Torness 2 
			   Trawsfynydd(1) 1 
			   Wylfa 9 
			     
			 2008 109 Berkeley(1) 4 
			   Bradwell(1) 1 
			   Chapelcross(1) 3 
			   Dungeness A(1) 3 
			   Dungeness B 7 
			   Hartlepool 10 
			   Heysham 1 5 
			   Hesyham 2 10 
			   Hinkley Point A(1) 3 
			   Hinkley Point B 9 
			   Hunterston A(1) 4 
			   Hunterston B 8 
		
	
	
		
			   Oldbury 5 
			   Sizewell A(1) 3 
			   Sizewell B 5 
			   Torness 12 
			   Trawsfynydd(1) 5 
			   Wylfa 12 
			     
			 2007 34 Chapelcross(1) 1 
			   Dungeness B 3 
			   Hartlepool 4 
			   Heysham 1 2 
			   Heysham 2 3 
			   Hunterston B 3 
			   Oldbury 4 
			   Sizewell B 2 
			   Torness 5 
			   Wylfa 7 
		
	
	
		
			 Complaints 
			  Source of complaints Number of complaints 
			 2012 Hunterston B and Sizewell B 1 (2 sites) 
			 2011 — — 
			 2010 — — 
			 2009 Chapelcross(1), Sizewell A(1) 2 
			 2008 — — 
			 2007 Windscale(1), Dounreay(1) 2 
			 2006 Trawsfynydd(1) 1 
			 (1) These power stations had ceased power production prior to the date the issue was raised.

Nuclear Power Stations: Safety

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) tests, (b) inspections and (c) examinations have been carried out at the request of the Office for Nuclear Regulation at each nuclear power station in each of the last 10 years.

Chris Grayling: The information is not available in the requested format.

Occupational Pensions

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what recent estimate he has made of the total value of pension contributions held by members of pension schemes in additional voluntary contributions accounts related to occupational pension schemes that are locked in and not susceptible of consolidation while the occupational pension remains in place;
	(2)  whether he has made any assessment of the potential detriment to members of UK pension schemes with holdings in additional voluntary contributions accounts related to occupational pension schemes that are locked in and not susceptible of consolidation while the occupational pension remains in place;
	(3)  if he will introduce proposals to enable members of UK pension schemes with holdings in additional voluntary contributions (AVC) accounts related to occupational pension schemes that are currently locked in and not susceptible of consolidation while the occupational pension remains in place to access the AVC funds in order to consolidate.

Mark Hoban: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Treasury Department.
	The information requested about additional voluntary contributions accounts is not available.
	As is the case with all registered pension schemes, the members of the pension schemes cannot generally receive pension benefits paid out of their additional voluntary contributions until they have reached the normal minimum pension age of 55. If there are other restrictions on members consolidating their additional voluntary contributions account with other pension savings or on when the account may be used to provide a pension, these are not governed by regulation but instead depend on the particular rules of the pension schemes concerned.

Pensioners: Income

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average single pensioner income was for the poorest 10 per cent of (a) male and (b) female pensioners in today's prices in (i) 1982, (ii) 1997, (iii) 2010 and (iv) 2012.

Steve Webb: The following table provides the median single pensioner income for the poorest 10% of (a) male and (b) female pensioners in 2009-10 prices for the periods (ii) 1997-2000 and (iii) 2007-10.
	The figures are presented as three-year averages. This is because deciles are relatively small groups and results may be volatile from one year to the next. These figures are therefore not directly comparable to single-year estimates.
	Information is not available for 1982 and at present our most recent data are 2009-10, so we cannot provide an estimate for 2012.
	
		
			 Median net income for the bottom decile of the income distribution, 2009-10 prices 
			  £ per week 
			 Single men  
			 Net income before housing costs  
			 1997-2000 89 
			 2007-10 107 
			 Net income after housing costs  
			 1997-2000 61 
			 2007-10 80 
			   
			 Single women  
			 Net income before housing costs  
			 1997-2000 82 
			 2007-10 93 
			 Net income after housing costs  
			 1997-2000 55 
		
	
	
		
			 2007-10 67 
			 Notes: 1. These statistics are based on Pensioners' Income Series (PI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). The reference period is the financial year. 2. The figures are presented as three-year averages. This is because deciles are relatively small groups and results may be volatile from one year to the next. These figures are therefore not directly comparable to single year estimates. 3. Net disposable incomes have been used to answer the question. This includes earnings from employment and self-employment, state support, income from occupational and private pensions, investment income and other sources. Income tax payments, national insurance contributions, council tax/domestic rates and some other payments are deducted from incomes. 4. Figures have been presented on a before housing cost and an after housing cost basis. For before housing costs, housing costs (such as rent, water rates, mortgage interest payments, buildings insurance payments and ground rent and service charges) are not deducted from income, while for after housing costs they are. 5. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to a degree of uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. 6. Weekly incomes have been rounded to the nearest £. Figures may not sum due to rounding. 7. Figures are for Great Britain up to 2001-02 and for the United Kingdom from 2002-03. 8. Unequivalised income is presented, i.e. it is not adjusted to take account of household size and composition. 9. When looking at income statistics, the median is typically used instead of the mean income because the mean can be affected by outlying cases with very high income values. 10. It was announced in May that the 2009-10 results will be revised when the 2010-11 results are released in July. See the DWP PI website for further information. Source: Pensioners' Incomes Series 2009-10.

Pensions: EU Law

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 14 May 2012, Official Report, column 13W, on apprentices: disability, what discussions he has had with the European Commission on the effect of the Solvency II directive on UK defined benefit schemes.

Steve Webb: I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer of 14 May 2012, Official Report, column 13W.

Personal Independence Payment

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the assessment criteria for the personal independence payment will take into consideration the additional costs incurred by visually impaired people.

Maria Miller: Like disability living allowance (DLA), the personal independence payment (PIP) is intended to contribute to the additional costs that disabled people face to live independently. However, we do not think it would be feasible to measure the actual costs that disabled people incur. Such an approach would be subjective, inconsistent and expensive to deliver.
	We want priority in the benefit to go to those people who face the greatest barriers to living an independent life and who are likely to have the most need and extra costs. As such the assessment for the benefit will focus on the extent to which an individual's health condition or impairment affects their day to day life, by assessing ability to carry out key everyday activities. Entitlement will not be based on the nature of the health condition itself.
	The work to develop the assessment is still ongoing and the criteria have not yet been finalised. On 30 April we completed a 15-week formal consultation, to hear views on our proposals from disabled people and their organisations and to ensure that we get them right. We are now in the process of carefully considering all of the responses we have received, along with feedback from stakeholder meetings held during the consultation period, as we evaluate what changes need to be made to the criteria.
	We intend to publish a response to the consultation alongside a revised draft of the assessment criteria later in the year, once our considerations are complete.

Personal Independence Payment

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to collect written evidence from medical, social care and other specialist professionals prior to establishing face-to-face assessment processes for the personal independence payment.

Maria Miller: We want the assessment for personal independence payment to be based on the best and most appropriate evidence. Individuals will play an integral role in this, providing evidence and information themselves and advising on which professionals—for example, GPs, hospital consultants or social workers—would be best placed to provide the supporting evidence to inform their claim.
	We believe a face-to-face consultation with an assessor should also be a key part of the assessment process for most individuals, allowing an in-depth discussion on their circumstances and how their health conditions or impairments affect their everyday lives. However, we recognise that such consultations may not be required in every case, particularly where there is already strong evidence to support a claim. Before deciding whether a consultation is necessary, assessors will be expected to have reviewed all the information and evidence an individual has supplied and considered whether they need to request any further evidence that might help them in providing advice to the Department in respect of the impact of the individual's condition. Our expectation is that face-to-face consultations will add significant value in most cases but these processes will ensure that the assessment is carried out in an individualised, proportionate and sensitive manner.

Personal Independence Payment: Veterans

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether veterans injured on active service will be exempt from assessment under the personal independence payment.

Maria Miller: All applicants for personal independence payment will be required to undergo an assessment. Entitlement to personal independence payment will be based on an assessment of an individual's ability to participate in society. While face-to-face consultations will be an important part of the assessment for most individuals, they will not be appropriate in every case.
	We are working with the Ministry of Defence to consider what arrangements would best take account of the unique situation of severely injured service personnel.

Procurement

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of payments made by his Department to small and medium-sized enterprises have been paid late since May 2010.

Chris Grayling: The DWP are currently unable to categorise payments made by supplier type including Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) as these data are not captured on our Accounts payable system. We are working with the Government Procurement Service to agree reliable data source that can categorise suppliers. Therefore, we are unable to provide specific details of the proportion of late payments made to SMEs.
	We can provide the following details for our Prompt Payment Performance targets which show that regardless of size, all payments are within Treasury parameters.
	Five Day Performance Target—84.6%
	10 Day Performance Target—98.15%
	30 Day Performance Target—99.5%

Public Sector Mutuals

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many new public sector mutuals were created or spun off by his Department in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: This Department has not created or spun-off any sector mutuals in the periods mentioned.

Redundancy

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of his Department's employees have been made redundant in the last two years.

Chris Grayling: In the last two years the Department for Work and Pensions has not made any employees compulsorily redundant. Two employees at senior civil service level have been issued with notice of redundancy and are due to leave the Department on 31 July 2012.
	In addition, a number of employees have accepted release on voluntary redundancy terms as follows:
	Six senior civil servants left the Department on voluntary redundancy (VR) terms on 31 March 2012.
	The following numbers of staff have accepted VR terms and are due to leave the Department on the respective last day of service as shown:
	178 employees at the Administrative Assistant to Senior Executive Officer grades will leave the Department on 31 May 2012;
	One employee at Grade 6 level and two at Grade 7 level will leave the Department on 30 June 2012
	Two employees at Senior Executive Officer and two employees at Higher Executive Officer level will leave the department on 31 July 2012.
	To serve as context, the Department employed 97,963 full-time equivalent staff on 31 March 2011 and 88,626 full-time equivalent staff on 31 March 2012.
	In 2010-11 a total of 10,775 full-time equivalent staff left the Department and in 2011-12 a total of 9,436 full-time equivalent staff left the Department.

Social Security Benefits

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of people (a) claimed only the state retirement pension, (b) were over 60 and receiving the state retirement pension and income support, (c) were over retirement age and drew only income support, (d) were over 60 and received housing benefit only and (e) received each of these benefits plus housing benefit in each of the last 30 years.

Steve Webb: The information requested is not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Information regarding the number of people who receive certain benefits, including the state pension and pension credit, is included in published statistics available on the Department's website:
	http://83.244.183.180/100pc/tabtool.html
	Information regarding the number of housing benefit recipients is included in published national statistics also available on the Department's website:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=hbctb
	The following link shows benefit combinations by statistical group in November 2011; for example, the number of people in receipt of both the state pension (SP) and pension credit (PC):
	http://83.244.183.180/100pc/pa/comb/cnage/a_carate_r_comb_c_cnage_nov11_html

Social Security Benefits

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of claimants (a) drew invalidity benefit, (b) drew invalidity benefit and income support, (c) drew invalidity benefit and housing benefit and (d) were long-term sick and drew income support and/or housing benefit in each of the last 30 years.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available for parts (a) and (b) are included in published statistics available on the Department's website:
	http://83.244.183.180/100pc/tabtool.html
	For example, the following link shows the number of working age claimants in receipt of employment and support allowance and incapacity benefits from 1999 to 2011:
	http://83.244.183.180/100pc/wa/ccdate/ccstatgp/a_carate_r_ccdate_c_ccstatgp.html
	The following link shows benefit combinations by statistical group in November 2011; for example, people in receipt of both incapacity benefit (IB) and income support (IS) or pension credit (PC):
	http://83.244.183.180/100pc/wa/comb/ccstatgp/a_carate_r_comb_c_ccstatap_nov11.html
	There is also information on long-term trends in incapacity benefits receipt published at the following link. This shows the incapacity benefits caseload (excluding short-term incapacity benefit paid at the lower rate) back to 1979:
	http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/tabtools/timeseriesIBSDA.xls
	The information requested for parts (c) and (d) is not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Social Security Benefits

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of people (a) claimed sick pay or statutory pay only, (b) drew sick pay and income support, (c) drew sick pay and housing benefit and (d) were without sick pay cover and drew only income support and/or housing benefit in each of the last 30 years.

Chris Grayling: Statutory sick pay (SSP) is administered and paid by employers, the Department does not collect data about payments, duration or the number of employees who receive it. Legislation only requires employers to submit SSP information, if they are seeking reimbursement under the percentage threshold scheme (PTS).
	Statistics relating to housing benefit and income support in relation to sick pay have not previously been published as official statistics. We will consider whether to include the statistics requested in part of an upcoming statistics release in line with the Code of Practice on Official Statistics.

Social Security Benefits

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were given benefit penalties in each of the last 30 years; and for what reasons.

Chris Grayling: Statistics on the numbers of individuals who received conditionality related benefit sanctions in each of the last 30 years have not previously been published as official statistics. We will consider whether to include the statistics requested in part of an upcoming statistics release in line with the Code of Practice on Official Statistics.
	Statistics on the numbers of jobseeker's allowance conditionality related sanctions since 2000 are published on the Department's website:
	http://83.244.183.180/sanction/sanction/LIVE/tabtool.html
	Statistics on the numbers of income support lone parent conditionality related sanctions since 2004 are published on the Department's website:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/is/lone_parent_regime/index.php?page=lone_parent_regime
	Statistics on the numbers of ESA conditionality-related sanctions since 2008 are published on the Department's website:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.php?page=esa_sanc

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 30 April 2012, Official Report, column 1326W, on social security benefits, whether legislation is required in order to allow tax credit data to be passed to local authorities in order to implement the benefit cap.

Chris Grayling: Tax credit information when properly required by local authority users can already be disclosed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) under paragraph 7 of schedule 5 to the Tax Credits Act 2002.
	The Department can disclose tax credit information to local authority staff on behalf of HMRC provided we satisfy access controls and security arrangements. For benefit cap implementation purposes, we will be working with HMRC to provide ongoing assurance that the processes work effectively in practice.

Social Security Benefits: Internet

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the percentage of benefits claimants with access to the internet in their homes.

Chris Grayling: The DWP is working to develop data on home internet access that includes all access channels, however we do not currently hold this information.

Social Security Benefits: Pendle

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people of working age in Pendle (a) are in receipt of out-of-work benefits and (b) have been in receipt of such benefits for at least nine of the last 10 years.

Chris Grayling: Information on those who have been in receipt of out of work benefits for at least nine of the last 10 years is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Social Security Benefits: Rotherham

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many recipients of disability-related welfare benefits in Rotherham will become ineligible for such benefits under his proposals for welfare reform.

Maria Miller: The personal independence payment will replace disability living allowance for disabled people of working age from April 2013. It is being designed to ensure that those who face the greatest barriers to living an independent life will be in receipt of the right level of support that recognises the individual’s needs. Therefore entitlement to personal independence payment will be based on the extent to which an individual’s health condition or impairment affects their day to day life, not on the nature of the health condition itself.
	The impact assessment published in January estimates the number of 16 to 64-year-olds in receipt of PIP to be 1.7 million by March 2016. Without reform, 2.2 million 16 to 64-year-olds were forecast to be receiving disability living allowance at that time.
	However, it is not possible to break this impact down to smaller geographic locations.

Unemployed People: Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Jobcentre Plus travel discount cards (a) are valid and (b) have been issued in each year since the introduction of the card.

Chris Grayling: This information is not collated centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Unemployed People: Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the annual cost is to (a) train operating companies and (b) his Department of the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card; and what the cost is of providing each card.

Chris Grayling: We do not hold information of the annual cost to the train operating companies. Each participating member of the Association of Train Operating Companies absorbs the 50% subsidy from its own revenue and this amount varies upon the number of tickets issued against an operating company.
	An annual cost to the Department cannot be quantified as we do not collate information about the total number of cards issued and this could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	The Department does not subsidise the operating companies and no work measurement exercise has been undertaken on the administrative cost of providing each card, so this information is unavailable.
	The annual cost of maintaining a supply of cards and forms to issue the cards is £20,000.

Unemployed People: Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether there is an equivalent scheme for concessionary travel on buses comparable to the concessionary travel offered by the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card for rail travel.

Chris Grayling: There is no equivalent national scheme for concessionary travel on buses.

Unemployed People: Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) discounts are available on and (b) restrictions apply to the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card for rail travel.

Chris Grayling: Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card holders get 50% discount on selected fares on train services covered by the Association of Train Operating Companies in England and Wales and by train operating companies in Scotland. It can also be used to obtain similar discounts on the London underground, the docklands light railway and other rail services where agreed locally.
	In terms of restrictions on rail travel, the discount cannot be used on any first class service, and on specific train services such as the Caledonian sleeper and Eurostar services. Discount tickets are subject to the standard National Rail Conditions of Carriage and are not transferable.

Unemployed People: Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the eligibility criteria are for the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card; and whether his Department plans to review the operation of the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card scheme.

Chris Grayling: In England and Wales, the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card is available to:
	Jobseeker's allowance claimants who have been unemployed for six months up until referral to the Work programme, which is typically at nine months for 18 to 24-year-olds and 12 months for 25 year olds and over.
	Incapacity benefit (IB)/employment and support allowance (ESA)/income support (IS) claimants actively engaged with an adviser about returning to employment.
	In Scotland, the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card is available to:
	Jobseeker's allowance claimants who have been unemployed for 13 weeks.
	IB/ESA/IS claimants actively engaged with an adviser about returning to employment.
	Work programme participants for two periods of no more than 13 weeks each, during the two-year participation period on the programme.
	There are no immediate plans to review operation of the scheme, but we will be assessing the impact (on the card) of the introduction of universal credit.

Unemployment: Skilled Workers

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assistance his Department offers skilled jobseekers to find a job that is suitable to their abilities.

Chris Grayling: All claimants of jobseeker's allowance, including skilled jobseekers, receive a flexible, personalised service to help them find work as quickly as possible.
	This starts at the outset of the claim with an initial meeting with a personal adviser to discuss and agree some realistic and achievable job goals and a job search plan that will offer the best chance of success. As part of this, the adviser provides information about appropriate vacancy sources and additional support available to help improve job prospects and overcome things that may make finding and keeping a job more difficult. Ongoing support from the personal adviser is also agreed and provided subsequently through flexible interventions tailored to individual need. Claimants may also ask to see their personal adviser at any time.
	In addition to the support provided by personal advisers, claimants are usually required to attend fortnightly job search reviews to talk about what they have been doing to look for work and to see what help, if any, is needed.

Unemployment: Young People

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has made an estimate of the level of long-term youth unemployment in Coventry; and what steps his Department is taking to reduce long-term youth unemployment.

Chris Grayling: In April 2012 there were 395 18 to 24-year-olds in Coventry claiming jobseeker's allowance for 12 months or more. Recent figures have been affected by a change in policy that means young people on Government-funded programmes continue to receive financial support through JSA rather than being moved to a training allowance.
	Jobcentre Plus personal advisers offer a comprehensive menu of help that includes jobsearch support and skills provision. Advisers have the flexibility to tailor support to the individual at the most appropriate point in their claim. Get Britain Working measures offer additional support, including Work Clubs, Work Experience, New Enterprise Allowance, Enterprise Clubs and sector-based work academies.
	The Work programme provides tailored support to those furthest from the labour market. Young claimants are referred to a provider after nine months and those with more challenging barriers to work can be referred at three months. Providers are paid on he results they achieve, and are paid more for supporting the harder to help into work.
	The Government recently announced a new Youth Contract, worth around £1 billion, which is designed to prevent a new generation of young people falling into the trap of long-term unemployment. This will provide nearly half a million new opportunities for young people, including wage incentives, incentives to take on apprentices, and extra work experience placements. Extra funding is being made available to support the most vulnerable 16 and 17-year-olds not in education, employment or training into learning, an apprenticeship or job with training.

Universal Credit

Kwasi Kwarteng: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions who will be responsible for financing redundancy payments to local authority employees whose contracts are terminated as a consequence of administrative changes associated with the introduction of universal credit; and for what reasons this responsibility was assigned to them.

Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions is working with local authorities to understand the full implications of the transfer of housing benefit administration to universal credit. The specific implications this has for LA staff cannot be fully understood until the design of the universal credit service is finalised, along with that of the wider welfare reform changes, including the localisation of council tax support and elements of the Social Fund. The DWP has every intention of complying with the spirit of the New Burdens doctrine and will not seek to impose any undue burdens on local taxpayers.

Universal Credit

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions his Department has had with the (a) Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and (b) Scottish Government on the introduction of universal credit.

Chris Grayling: The information is as follows.
	(a) Officials are in regular communication with Members and officers in the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. Contacts are in respect of all aspects of UC implementation as these relate to local authorities in Scotland.
	(b) Officials are in regular dialogue with their counterparts in the Scottish Government about welfare reform.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the universal credit pathfinder will include live or dummy benefit claims; and whether it will use PAYE real time information from HM Revenue and Customs.

Chris Grayling: The universal credit pathfinder will use live benefit claims and where applicable it will use PAYE real time information from HMRC within the pathfinder geographic area.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether TUPE will apply to staff currently employed by HM Revenue and Customs to administer tax credits who transfer to his Department on introduction of universal credit.

Chris Grayling: TUPE cannot apply when staff transfer from one Government Department to another as the staff are, and remain, civil servants throughout and there is no change in employer. However, in line with the intent to use the best operational units in the DWP and HMRC for UC service centre delivery, we will seek to move some of the tax credit staff from HM Revenue and Customs into DWP using Cabinet Office protocol for managing change within the civil service.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of staff currently employed by HM Revenue and Customs to administer tax credits who will transfer into his Department on the introduction of universal credit.

Chris Grayling: The number of staff who will transfer will depend on which current HMRC sites are selected to become UC service centres. The final number of staff that may move will not be known until phase 2 announcements are made in April 2013.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the effect of universal credit on total hours worked in the UK.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available. In the previous version of the impact assessment, it was estimated that there would be a reduction in worklessness in the region of 300,000 households in static state.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department’s business case for universal credit.

Chris Grayling: There are no plans to place in the Library a copy of the universal credit business case.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department plans to spend on IT development and implementation for universal credit in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15.

Chris Grayling: Based on current plans, the Department is expecting to spend the following amounts on IT, development and implementation for universal credit:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 (a) 2013-14 401 
			 (b) 2014-15 317

Universal Credit: Employment

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of local authority employees whose employment will be affected by the administrative changes associated with the introduction of universal credit payments.

Chris Grayling: The Department of Work and Pensions is working closely with local authorities on the design of the service for universal credit.
	It is still too early to say how many staff and what skills and experience will be required for universal credit. As this becomes clearer we will understand the impact on existing staff and work with the affected organisations to manage it.

Work Capability Assessment

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2012, Official Report, column 226W, on the work capability assessment, what performance targets are included in the contract between his Department and Atos.

Chris Grayling: The performance targets referred to are the key performance indicators negotiated by the Department for Work and Pensions. These are set out in Schedule 5 (Service Levels) of the Medical Services contract. An edited copy of the document (DEP2010-1704) is available in the House of Lords Library and can be accessed from the following link:
	http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/business-papers/commons/deposited-papers/?max=100 &page=3&y=2010&house=2&sort=1&sortasc=False#togale-1704

Work Capability Assessment

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 23 April 2012, Official Report, column 668W, on work capability assessments, what information his Department holds on the back-to-work prognosis of claimants who have been assessed under the work capability assessment.

Chris Grayling: The Department holds information on Atos' recommendations for prognosis periods for standard prognosis periods of three, six, 12, or 18 months, not for two years, not in the longer term, terminally ill and unknown. These are recommendations only and the final decision on prognosis periods rests solely with the Department's decision makers taking into account the medical assessment reports from Atos and any other relevant information.
	The Department's computer systems track the decision makers' decisions on prognosis periods. This information, however, is not extracted from the computer systems and therefore this information is not included in management information or administrative datasets.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Aerospace Industry

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what recent steps his Department has taken to stimulate growth in the UK aerospace manufacturing and support sectors and their supply chains;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with representatives of the UK aerospace industry on investment and skills development in Britain.

Mark Prisk: The Government have a continuous and wide-ranging dialogue with representatives of the UK aerospace industry. A major part of that dialogue is through Aerospace Business Leaders group (chaired by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), and the Aerospace Growth Partnership group (which I chair), which brings Government and business together to take action to stimulate growth, boost exports and grow the number of highly skilled jobs available in the UK. Detailed work is underway through these groups involving around 80 senior business people and BIS officials.
	The process is being supported by industry, which has made available eight full-time secondees. It is addressing issues of strategic importance to the future competitiveness of the sector including investment in technology, skills, supply chain competitiveness, manufacturing capability and external engagement. As part of this work, we recently announced £60 million of new funding to create a UK virtual centre for aerodynamics.
	To assist the retention of engineering skills, in late 2010, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), appointed Allan Cook to set up a Skills and Job Retention Group. This led to the creation of the Talent Retention Solution system, in mid-2012, through which engineers made surplus by one company can be quickly redeployed into employment elsewhere across the advanced manufacturing sector. In addition, we are working closely with SEMTA (the Sector Skills Council) and ADS (the national trade association for aerospace) on a wide range of skills issues to stimulate investment and assist growth across the whole aerospace supply chain. As part of this activity, BIS is a sponsor of Futures Day at the Farnborough International Air Show on 13 July which will host 10,000 young people to showcase the growing aerospace sector and the exciting careers opportunities it offers.
	Aerospace companies are also expected to benefit from other more general support provided by the Department. For instance, up to £125 million has been made available through the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative.

Apprentices

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the average length was of a modern apprenticeship in the most recent period for which figures are available.

John Hayes: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 May 2012, Official Report, column 512W.

Apprentices

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent progress he has made in increasing the number of apprenticeships and in developing new apprenticeship models to engage higher value-added sectors.

John Hayes: Final data for the 2010/11 academic year show that we have grown apprenticeships by 177,500 since 2009/10 (up by 63.5%) and 217,300 since 2008/09 (up by 90.5%).
	We have also targeted £25 million extra funding for developing advanced and higher level apprenticeship frameworks to address skills gaps. It is estimated that around 25,000 higher apprenticeship places will be created in key sectors including construction, renewable energy, advanced engineering, insurance and financial services.

Apprentices: Birmingham

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  how many apprenticeships have been completed in Birmingham, Ladywood constituency in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many apprentices did not complete their training in Birmingham, Ladywood constituency in each of the last five years.

John Hayes: Table 1 shows the number of apprenticeship framework achievements and success rates for Birmingham, Ladywood constituency between 2006/07 and 2010/11, the latest full year for which final data are available.
	
		
			 Table 1: Apprenticeship framework achievements and success rates for Birmingham Ladywood constituency, 2006/07 to 2010/11 
			 Birmingham, Ladywood constituency 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 
			 Achievements (number) 140 150 170 210 410 
			 Success rate (percentage) 58.4 60.9 64.5 68.3 75.0 
			 Notes: 1. Apprenticeship achievements figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Geography is based upon the home postcode of the learner. 3. Figures are based on the geographic boundaries of regions as of May 2010. 4. Success rates are based on the individual aims that were expected to end in the academic year. They are calculated as the number of learning aims achieved divided by the number started, excluding the aims of any learners that transferred onto another qualification within the same institution. Source: Individualised Learner Record 
		
	
	Information on the number of apprenticeship starts, achievements and success rates is published in a quarterly Statistical First Release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 29 March 2012:
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current
	Breakdowns by geography are published in Supplementary Tables at the following links:
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_supplementary_tables/Apprenticeship_sfr_supplementary_tables/
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_supplementary_tables/success_rates_sfr_supplementary_tables/

Apprentices: Horticulture

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what information his Department holds on the number of apprenticeships registered and completed in (a) ornamental horticulture, (b) production horticulture and (c) amenity horticulture in each of the last five years.

John Hayes: Table 1 shows the number of Apprenticeship programme starts and achievements in the Amenity Horticulture, Horticulture, and Production Horticulture apprenticeship frameworks between the 2006/07 and 2010/11 academic years, the latest full year for which final data are available. Data for the ornamental horticulture framework are not available.
	
		
			 Table 1: Apprenticeship Starts and Achievements by Framework, 2006/07 to 2010/11 
			  Framework 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 
			 Starts Amenity Horticulture 980 1,110 1,250 70 * 
			  Horticulture * * * 1,440 2,100 
			  Production Horticulture 20 10 20 * * 
			  All Frameworks 184,400 224,800 239,900 279,700 457,200 
			        
			 Achievements Amenity Horticulture 580 540 620 800 320 
			  Horticulture * * * 40 730 
			  Production Horticulture 10 10 10 20 10 
			  All Frameworks 111,800 112,600 143,400 171,500 200,300 
			 '*' Indicates a base value of less than five. Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 except for totals which are rounded to the nearest 100. Source: Individualised Learner Record 
		
	
	Information on the number of Apprenticeship starts by framework is published as a supplementary table to a quarterly Statistical First Release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 29 March 2012:
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_supplementary_tables/

Business: Staff

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of UK-registered businesses employ fewer than (a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20, (d) 10 and (e) five people, by region.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning what proportion of UK-registered businesses employ fewer than (a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20, (d) 10 and (e) five people, by region.
	Annual statistics on the number of enterprises are available from the ONS release; UK Business: Activity, Size and Location at:
	www.statistics.gov.uk
	These estimates relate to the count of live businesses in March of each year.
	The latest statistics on the number of enterprises in each region have been provided in the accompanying spreadsheet. The table provides the number and percentage by employee size bands for each region.
	
		
			 United Kingdom: Number of VAT and PAYE-based enterprises in 2011, region by employee size band 
			  Employee size bands 
			  0 to 4 5 to 9 10 to 19 20 to 49 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
			 North East 40,830 74.5 6,715 12.3 3,705 6.8 2,155 3.9 
			 North West 154,335 76.8 23,310 11.6 12,235 6.1 6,825 3.4 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 111,500 76.1 17,430 11.9 9,270 6.3 5,190 3.5 
			 East Midlands 109,060 77.4 15,935 11.3 8,240 5.8 4,755 3.4 
			 West Midlands 130,220 77.7 18,880 11.3 9,595 5.7 5,490 3.3 
			 East of England 166,560 79.0 23,055 10.9 11,115 5.3 6,185 2.9 
			 London 265,915 79.5 34,505 10.3 17,610 5.3 9,090 2.7 
			 South East 260,745 79.5 34,450 10.5 17,235 5.3 9,400 2.9 
			 South West 154,745 78.7 21,865 11.1 10,690 5.4 6,010 3.1 
			 Wales 68,785 78.7 9,665 11.1 5,045 5.8 2,430 2.8 
			 Scotland 110,530 76.4 17,005 11.8 9,430 6.5 4,510 3.1 
			 Northern Ireland 54,270 79.9 6,815 10.0 3,580 5.3 2,105 3.1 
			 Total 1,627,495 78.2 229,630 11.0 117,750 5.7 64,145 3.1 
		
	
	
		
			  50 to 99 100+  
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage Total 
			 North East 700 1.3 665 1.2 54,770 
			 North West 2,245 1.1 2,110 1.0 201,060 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 1,710 1.2 1,505 1.0 146,605 
			 East Midlands 1,525 1.1 1,430 1.0 140,945 
			 West Midlands 1,745 1.0 1,655 1.0 167,585 
			 East of England 2,030 1.0 1,900 0.9 210,845 
			 London 3,480 1.0 3,795 1.1 334,395 
			 South East 3,080 0.9 3,105 0.9 328,015 
			 South West 1,745 0.9 1,550 0.8 196,605 
			 Wales 800 0.9 705 0.8 87,430 
			 Scotland 1,605 1.1 1,565 1.1 144,645 
			 Northern Ireland 655 1.0 535 0.8 67,960 
			 Total 21,320 1.0 20,520 1.0 2,080,860

Business: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has held with Ministers in the Welsh Government on the potential effect of proposals by Adrian Beecroft on business in Wales.

Norman Lamb: The Beecroft report is one of many submissions provided to the Red Tape Challenge and the Employment Law review. The analysis and recommendations in the report are his own and do not represent the views of Government. The Government has called for evidence on the no fault dismissal proposal contained in the report, for micro-businesses of fewer than 10 employees. The call for evidence closes on 8 June and the Government will respond in due course based on this evidence. Ministers have had no discussions with their counterparts in the Welsh Government on this report. We will continue to engage in the normal way with devolved administrations as we take forward work on employment-related law issues.

Capital Investment: North East

James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what capital spending projects his Department has funded in the North East region since May 2010; and what projects his Department plans to fund in the period to May 2015.

Mark Prisk: The following list shows capital projects in the north east with a value of over £500,000.
	Some of the planned projects for the Regional Growth Fund Projects are subject to agreement with the applicant as to terms.
	A: Ongoing Projects
	Regional Growth Fund
	A&P Tyne
	Able UK Ltd
	Aesica Pharmaceuticals
	AKS Precision Ball Europe Limited
	AV Dawson Limited
	Bridon International Limited
	Calsonic Kansei Sunderland Limited
	Carlton & Co
	Cleveland Potash Limited
	Cummins Manufacturing
	Darchem Engineering Limited
	DUCO ltd
	Durham County Cricket Club
	Earthly Energy Ltd
	Eutechnyx Ltd
	Fine Industries Ltd
	Gateshead College
	Greencroft Bottling Co Ltd
	Heerema
	Huntsman Hartlepool
	J&B Recycling
	Johnson Matthey
	Kromek
	Lotte Chemical UK Ltd
	Narec Development Services Ltd
	NE England Process Industry Cluster
	Newcastle Central Gateway
	Newcastle Engineering Hub
	Nifco UK Ltd
	Nissan Motors B
	Nissan Motors C
	Nissan Motor Powertrain
	PD Teesport Limited
	Permoid
	Responsive Engineering Group
	Riverside Flooring Ltd
	Shepherd Offshore Limited
	Teraverdae Bioworks Ltd
	Thaursus Engineering
	ThyssenKrupp Tallent Limited
	Tinsley Special Products Ltd
	TRW Systems Ltd
	Unipres
	Vantec Europe Ltd
	Wellstream International Ltd
	Zegen (Wilton)
	Grant for Business Investment
	Nissan
	Rolls Royce
	Other
	NAREC site infrastructure
	National Wind Development Centre
	Neptune Phase II
	Offshore wind test centre
	B: Projects funded between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2012
	Grant for Business Investment
	BOC Limited
	Cleveland Potash Limited
	Santander Cards UK Limited
	Tesco Personal Finance Plc
	Nissan
	Other
	UK Steel Enterprise (TVIP)
	Tees Valley Programme (TVIP) Enabling Costs
	Health Sciences Complex
	NAREC Site Infrastructure
	NAREC Innovation Facilities Infrastructure
	NEPTUNE Phase II
	TVIP Innovation—Industrial Bio-Technology
	Low Carbon Vehicle Development Centre
	High Temperature Processing Centre
	IB Demonstrator Facility
	Plugged in Places
	NAREC Marine Testing Facility PEF
	PeTEC Displays & Photonics Tech Facility
	National Blade Test Facility
	NAREC Offshore Wind Test Site

Class Actions

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when his Department's panel considering collective redress last met; and which Minister is responsible for work on collective redress.

Norman Lamb: The Department does not have a panel considering collective redress.
	Overall responsibility for collective redress falls to the Ministry of Justice, with responsibility for collective redress in individual sectors devolved to the appropriate Department and Minister. For example, BIS is responsible for collective redress in competition law and on 24 April of this year I published a consultation on that subject.
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/consumer-issues/docs/g/12-512-growth-and-competition-regime-government-response

Conditions of Employment

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the contribution by the Minister of State for Business and Enterprise of 21 May 2012, Official Report, column 848, whether he personally commissioned or signed off the commissioning of Adrian Beecroft to produce the report.

Norman Lamb: My right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey) wrote to Mr Beecroft on 29 July 2011 to commission the report. He did so on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and therefore on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable).

Conditions of Employment

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  for what reason references to (a) abolishing regulations applying to the employment of children and (b) the ability of employers to sack employees because their employer did not like them as a price worth paying, contained in the version of the Beecroft report labelled 12 October 2011 were not included in the version labelled 24 October 2011 published by his Department on 22 May 2012; by whom these references were removed; and when they were removed;
	(2)  when the draft of the Beecroft report labelled 12 October 2011 was composed; what amendments were made to the document in the version labelled 24 October 2011; when these amendments were made; by whom; and for what reason;
	(3)  for what reason the section on (a) the Right to Request Flexible Working and (b) Flexible Parental Leave contained in the version of the Beecroft report labelled 12 October 2011 was not included in the version labelled 24 October 2011 published by his Department on 22 May 2012; by whom these sections were removed; and when they were removed.

Norman Lamb: The drafting process is a matter for Mr Beecroft. As with the production of any written document, we would expect Mr Beecroft's report to have gone through various drafting stages as he progressed his study of the issues, until his final version was submitted.
	The final version can be found at:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/r/12-825-report-on-employment-law-beecroft.pdf

Conditions of Employment

William Cash: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2012, Official Report, column 849, on employment law (Beecroft Report), if he will place in the Library (a) a copy of the agreement to which his referred between the Government and the European Commission that small businesses will now be exempted from European legislation as a point of principle unless the Commission can show that they should not be and (b) copies of any such legislation that has already been exempted; whether such exemptions apply from a certain date, and if so, when; and whether such exemptions include repeal of existing legislation.

Mark Prisk: The European Commission’s commitments are set out in its 23 November 2011 report, “Minimizing regulatory burden for SMEs: Adapting EU regulation to the needs of micro-enterprises” COM(2011)803. This was deposited in the House on 8 December 2011 and an explanatory memorandum was later submitted. The Commission commits in its report to propose exemptions for micro-businesses or lighter regimes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in legislation prepared from 1 January 2012. Its report provides information at annex 1 on EU legislation that already offers lighter regimes to SMEs. Since the Commission’s report, directive 2012/6/EU amending Council Directive 78/660/EEC on the annual accounts of certain types of companies as regards micro-entities was adopted on 14 March, and could benefit around 1.4 million UK small businesses by simplifying financial reporting requirements. In addition, a provisional agreement has now been reached between the European Parliament and Council of Ministers on a new directive to replace directive 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), following the European Parliament’s Second Reading on 19 January 2012. 18 months after publication in the Official Journal, a provision will exempt retailers with a selling area of less than 400m(2) from the requirement to take back electrical waste in store at no charge to the consumer and with no obligation being placed on the consumer to buy replacement equipment. Copies of both texts have been deposited in the Libraries of the House.

Conditions of Employment

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what evidence was (a) submitted to and (b) reviewed by Adrian Beecroft and officials in his Department in preparing the Beecroft report.

Norman Lamb: The evidence used for this report is a matter for Mr Beecroft who was responsible for preparing it.
	Officials in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills provided de minimis support as a secretariat. This involved setting up meetings with policy officials across Government and responding to factual questions from Mr Beecroft.

Conditions of Employment

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to publish a consultation on all the policy recommendations contained in the Beecroft report.

Norman Lamb: Mr Beecroft's report was one of a range of inputs to the Red Tape Challenge and Employment Law review, and we most recently set out our plans for taking forward reforms to employment legislation at Budget in the Employment Law review annual update.
	Further details can be found at:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/e/12-p136-employment-law-review-2012.pdf
	In addition, alongside the publication of Mr Beecroft's report, we set out which of the issues in that report Government is considering or taking further and which we are not.
	Further details can be found at:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/a/12-830-adrian-beecroft-report-issues-government-is-considering.pdf
	The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills most recently called for evidence on no fault dismissal for micro firms of fewer than 10 employees, which closed on 8 June 2012. No further calls for evidence are currently planned.

Conditions of Employment

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the number of hours which officials in his Department spent on work on the Beecroft Report.

Norman Lamb: Officials in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills provided de minimis support as a secretariat. This involved setting up meetings with policy officials across Government and responding to factual questions from Mr Beecroft.

Conditions of Employment

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether Adrian Beecroft approved the final published version of his report on employment law.

Norman Lamb: Mr Beecroft was responsible for submitting the final version of his report.

Consultants

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department spent on external consultants, including management consultants, in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: The total spend by BIS on external consultants, including management consultants is:
	
		
			  £ 
			 (a) 2010-11 7,530,918 
			 (b) 2011-12 11,403,711 
		
	
	As is usual practice in the private and public sector, occasionally the Department requires independent advice on a particular issue which we are unable to provide in house due in main to experience within the required field of expertise. As with all Government spending, officials have to make sure that any future spend of taxpayers’ money displays best possible value for money and return on investment.
	BIS acknowledges the increase in the consultancy spend between 2010/11 and 2011/12 but this is managed and monitored in accordance with the tight constraints laid down by the Cabinet Office in its published spending controls. Each freeze exemption consultancy case is approved by a board of senior management, delegated by the Permanent Secretary, to ensure appropriate spend and controls are in place.

Consultants

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the answer of 26 April 2012, Official Report, column 1009W, on consultants, what payments were made to (a) Activa Consulting, (b) Deloitte, (c) Impact Plus, (d) PA Consulting, (e) Fujitsu, (f) Oracle, (g) Gartner and (h) PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Norman Lamb: holding answer 21 May 2012
	Payments were made to the following consultancies in the period between 2006 and 2011 as follows. Payments to Fujitsu and Oracle included the purchase cost of the IT hardware and software together with implementation costs.
	
		
			  £ million 
			 Activa Consulting 0.2 
			 Deloitte 0.4 
			 Impact Plus 8.7 
			 PA Consulting 0.5 
			 Fujitsu 31.9 
			 Oracle 20.0 
			 Gartner 0.1 
		
	
	In addition, as part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills internal audit provision, PricewaterhouseCoopers undertook some work to identify the challenges in respect of the shared service centre (SSC) achieving full stability and the SSC’s readiness for expansion.

Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many letters to Ministers in his Department were (a) not answered, (b) not answered within six months and (c) not answered within three months in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how many such letters were from hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: I regret that the information requested is not available in the form requested and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.
	Furthermore, The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members correspondence. The report for 2011 was published on 15 March 2012, Official Report, columns 30-33WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Libraries of the House.

Dementia: Research

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much the Medical Research Council spent on dementia research in 2010-11.

David Willetts: The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the main agencies through which the Government supports medical and clinical research. In 2010/11 the MRC spent £18.5 million on dementia research.

Dementia: Research

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the Prime Minister’s Dementia Challenge Key Commitment number 10, what additional investment will be made in Biobank to support brain scanning for dementia research; how many scans will be offered to this group; and with what frequency.

David Willetts: The Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia outlined plans for significant investment in dementia research over the coming years built around a set of specific commitments. Commitment 10 refers to more than doubling overall funding for dementia research to over £66 million by 2015.
	Plans to deliver an initiative on brain scanning, building on the opportunities offered by the UK Biobank, are addressed under Commitment 11. This outlines a pilot study involving up to 8,000 volunteers, which if successful, would be rolled out to 50,000-100,000 volunteers.
	The additional investment under Commitment 11 will be delivered via the Medical Research Council (MRC) and a funding decision will be announced later this year in partnership with the other UK Biobank partners. Proposals for the brain imaging programme are currently being developed by UK Biobank and will be subject to rigorous peer review. The precise scope of the study funded will be advised by this process and the views of the international experts involved.

Empty Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will list the empty or largely empty buildings owned by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: The Department does not own any properties. All the properties the Department occupies are leasehold.

Empty Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many buildings owned by his Department and the bodies for which he is responsible have been empty for more than two years; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: The Department does not own any properties. All the properties the Department occupies are leasehold.
	Information for non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which clauses of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill will require a legislative consent motion from the National Assembly for Wales.

Mark Prisk: There is one aspect on which we consider that a legislative consent motion is required and one consequential change which could be made if the Welsh Government so wishes. The aspect where we consider it is needed is on the provision which ensures that the UK Green Investment Bank plc will remain bound by an objects clause that is directed at the appropriate “green purposes”. Whilst financial services are non-devolved, the main purpose of this provision is aimed at green purposes, such as energy efficiency and environmental protection, which are excepted from the reservations to Westminster and are thus within the Assembly's competence. The second provision is a consequential amendment on the changes being made to the Equality Act 2006 to clarify the role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The consequential change to the Equality Act 2010 at schedule 17, Part 2 paragraph 4(2A), could be made through the Bill if the Welsh Government so wished. I am in touch with the Welsh Government about these issues.

Executives: Pay

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the propensity of institutional investors to challenge excessive executive pay; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: I welcome the positive signs that institutional investors are becoming more actively engaged in the debate on this issue and their willingness to be more interventionist and challenge excessive pay. Results from recent Annual General Meetings demonstrate this. It is right that shareholders hold companies to account. That is why the Department is working hard to strengthening the tools they have to do this.
	The Government has committed to:
	Boosting transparency so that what people are paid is clear and easily understood, and
	Giving shareholders more power through binding votes.
	A consultation on giving shareholders binding votes closed on 27 April and the Government will announce final legislative proposals later this summer.

Fraud

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the level of (a) procurement and (b) other fraud affecting his Department's spending in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: No procurement frauds affecting the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills' spending have been reported or detected in either year. Four incidents of fraud were reported by four of the Department's Partner Organisations amounting to £820,000 in 2010-11. One of the former regional development agencies was discovered to have suffered a fraud of £450,000 in 2011-12. All of these cases are currently under investigation and every attempt is being made to recover the sums involved.
	The Department takes fraud very seriously and is actively engaging with its Partner Organisations and the National Fraud Authority in its work to minimise fraud.

Green Economy Council

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will publish an updated list of the members of the Green Economy Council, together with the date, agenda and minutes of all meetings to date.

Mark Prisk: The Green Economy Council has met four times since it was convened in February 2011. The dates and agendas for the meetings are as follows:
	16 February 2011:
	1. Opening Remarks from Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills
	2. Introductions
	3. Discussion on the Terms of Reference for the Council
	4. Roadmap to a Green Economy
	5. Any other business
	7 June 2011:
	1. Introductions and Updates
	2. Roadmap to a Green Economy
	3. Forward Work Plan
	4. Energy Intensive Industries
	5. Any other business
	16 November 2011:
	1. Introductions and Updates
	2. Energy Intensive Industries
	3. Forward Work Plan
	4. Any other business
	1 May 2012:
	1. Introductions and Updates
	2. Green Skills
	3. Adaptation to climate change
	4. Any other business—Investment
	The Council's role is to advise Government on policy development and copies of minutes and papers have not been placed in the Library or on the Department's website.
	The members of the Council are:
	
		
			 GEC Member Position Company 
			 Peter Young Chairman Aldersgate Group 
			 Richard Soper CEO Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd 
			 John Longworth Director General British Chambers of Commerce 
			 Gearoid Lane Managing Director, New Markets Centrica 
		
	
	
		
			 Ian Temperton MD Climate Change Capital 
			 Neil Bentley Deputy Director General CBI 
			 Jonathan Short MD ECO Plastics Ltd 
			 Joe Greenwell Chairman Ford UK 
			 Stephen Leonard CEO IBM 
			 Tom Crotty Chairman Ineos 
			 Dr Henri Winand CEO Intelligent Energy 
			 Nigel Keen Director Property Services John Lewis Partnership 
			 Nick Bunker President, UK and Ireland Kraft Foods 
			 Dan Labbad CEO Europe, Middle East and Africa (and Chairman, UK Green Building Council) Lend Lease 
			 Kate Craig-Wood CEO Memset 
			 Heidi Mottram OBE CEO Northumbrian Water 
			 Paul Noon General Secretary Prospect 
			 Ian Goodfellow MDUK Shanks plc 
			 Mike Rolls Director Siemens 
			 Mike Bushell Chief Scientist Syngenta 
			 Ian Goldsmith Head of Public Affairs Tata Steel Europe 
			 Frances O'Grady Deputy General Secretary TUC

Higher Education

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in how many cases a higher education provider has applied to his Department for higher education course designation and been refused; and which courses were so refused.

David Willetts: Since February 2009 a total of 56 applications for course designation have been refused. I have placed a list of the courses that were refused in the House of Commons Library.

Higher Education

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the answer of 24 April 2012, Official Report, column 820W, on higher education, on what basis a due diligence report may result in a higher education course not being designated.

David Willetts: The due diligence reports consider the management and governance, financial sustainability and longevity of an organisation. If the report raises concerns relating to any of these issues this may result in the course not being designated.

Higher Education

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the extent and effect of course closures at higher education institutions in England for the 2012-13 academic year.

David Willetts: No assessment regarding higher education course closures for the 2012-13 academic year has been made by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS).
	Universities are autonomous institutions that make their own decisions about the courses they will provide to meet the changing needs of their student and employer constituencies. To attempt to monitor this at course level would place a very significant burden on institutions, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and BIS, and would be highly complex.
	We asked HEFCE in the 2012 grant letter to continue to prioritise strategically important and vulnerable subjects (SIVS) when allocating teaching grant. HEFCE is currently undertaking work to monitor early signals of student demand and provision of SIVS.

Higher Education: Private Sector

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the answer of 16 April 2012, Official Report, column 281W, on higher education: private sector, if he will bring forward (a) guidelines and (b) legislation to ensure that private providers provide adequate information on fees for students to make an informed choice; what information such providers are required to provide; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: Private providers are not currently required to provide information on fees for students. However, we are committed to encouraging all higher education institutions to focus on ensuring value for money, to be more transparent and to provide improved information to prospective students, so they can make informed choices.
	Our reforms put students at the heart of the system as money will flow through students in response to the choices that they make, not the choices that Government makes for them. It is for students to determine whether or not a course provides value for money on the basis of information that is available.

Mature Students

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate his Department has made of the number and proportion of applications received by universities from mature students to enter as full-time students for the first time in the coming academic year on (a) 1 April 2012, (b) 1 May 2012, (c) 1 April 2011 and (d) 1 May 2011.

David Willetts: The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is the central agency established by Higher Education (HE) institutions to process applications on their behalf and publishes data on university applications. The latest information on mature applicants was published by UCAS in April and is shown in the following table. Figures for earlier months can be found on the UCAS website at:
	http://www.ucas.com/about_us/media_enquiries/media_releases/.
	These are not the final figures. It is still possible to apply via the UCAS system, and we know from previous years that some mature applicants tend to apply later in the application cycle.
	
		
			 Applicants(1) to full-time undergraduate courses in the UK as at April 23 
			  2011 2012 
			 Young (under 21) 482,576 450,929 
			 Mature (21 and over) 153,317 135,844 
			 Total 635,893 586,773 
			 Percentage mature 24.1 23.2 
			 (1) Applicants from the UK and overseas

Money Lenders

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what representations he has received from consumer organisations on the detriment caused by loan sharks in each region of the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: This Department has not received representations from consumer organisations on the level of detriment caused by loan sharks in each region of the UK.

Newspaper Press: Competition

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the balance of evidence considered by the Office of Fair Trading in deciding not to make a referral to the Competition Commission of the newspaper and magazine wholesale distribution sector; and if he will consider using his powers under section 132 of the Enterprise Act 2002 to refer the newspaper and magazine industry to the Competition Commission for a full market investigation.

Norman Lamb: Issues relating to competition in the newspaper and magazine sector are a matter for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
	The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has conducted detailed investigation of the newspaper and magazine distribution sector in the United Kingdom over a number of years. In September 2009, the OFT published its decision not to make a market investigation reference to the Competition Commission. The OFT stated at that time that it would consider, after two years, whether a short update review of the sector would be justified by reference to the OFT Prioritisation Principles, particularly whether such a review could bring benefits for consumers.
	On 1 March 2012, the OFT announced that, following a prioritisation assessment, including consultation with trade bodies and companies in the sector, it would not be carrying out an update review of the sector, primarily on the grounds that consumers would not be likely to benefit significantly as a result of such a review.
	The OFT's prioritisation decision document and the accompanying press release can be viewed at the following link:
	http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/markets-work/othermarketswork/newspapers-magazines/

Newspaper Press: Retail Trade

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the (a) level of supply within the wholesale distribution sector of the news and magazine market, (b) terms on which services are supplied to retailers and (c) fairness of the level of charges levied upon newsagents; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of arrangements for redress for poor provision of services to retailers.

Mark Prisk: Issues relating to competition in the newspaper and magazine sector are a matter for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
	The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has conducted a detailed investigation of the newspaper and magazine distribution sector in the United Kingdom over a number of years. In September 2009, the OFT published its decision not to make a market investigation reference to the Competition Commission. In reaching that decision, the OFT specifically considered the issues raised in the question in some detail. The OFT stated at that time that it would consider, after two years, whether a short update review of the sector would be justified by reference to the OFT Prioritisation Principles, particularly whether such a review could bring benefits for consumers. The OFT's 2009 non-reference decision and the accompanying press release can be viewed at the following link:
	http://www.oft.gov.uk/news-and-updates/press/2009/117-09
	Following a prioritisation assessment, which included consultation with trade bodies and companies in the sector, on 1 March 2012, the OFT announced that it would not be carrying out an update review of the sector. This decision was reached primarily on the grounds that consumers would not be likely to benefit significantly as a result of such a review. The OFT's prioritisation decision document and the accompanying press release can be viewed at the following link:
	http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/markets-work/othermarketswork/newspapers-magazines/

Newspaper Press: Retail Trade

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of trends in the size of the independent retail newsagent sector in the last five years; and what steps he plans to take to address the causes of newsagent closures.

Mark Prisk: Since 2009 the Office for National Statistics has tracked the number of newsagents' local units by sizeband, including large chains (since these are local units each branch is counted separately).
	
		
			 Number of enterprises by employment band by 4762 
			 Class 
			  Employment size 
			  0-4 5-9 10-19 20-49 50-99 100-249 250+ Total 
			 2011 3,845 2,125 1,055 230 15 5 0 7,275 
			 2010 3,840 2,110 910 240 15 5 0 7,120 
			 2009 3,810 2,175 835 280 20 5 0 7,125 
			 Source: Business location, size and activity (ONS) 
		
	
	The Government is actively working to help all retailers. Retail is vitally important to local and national economies. This was why it was chosen to be one of the first sectors to be the subject of a Growth Review and was the first sector selected for the Red Tape Challenge. These initiatives identified a number of barriers to successful retail performance and growth, which the Government is working to address.
	Through the Growth Review the Government has committed to extending Small Business Rate Relief and announced that 160 regulations impacting on retailers or their customers will be scrapped or simplified. We are also conducting a review of employment law.
	In March, the Government's formal response to the recommendations made by Mary Portas in her report, ‘An Independent Review into the Future of our High Streets', was published by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
	The report contained 28 recommendations, raising a number of important issues affecting today's high streets and provided some useful and interesting ways in which the Government, local authorities, business and the public can begin to address them.
	DCLG took immediate action in implementing some of the recommendations, including on high street pilots. On 26 May the Government announced the first 12 successful winners of the competition, which will receive a slice of the £1.2 million. The first 12 Portas Pilots are Bedford, Croydon, Dartford, Bedminster, Liskeard, Margate, Market Rasen, Nelson, Newbiggin by the Sea, Stockport, Stockton on Tees, Wolverhampton.
	The response to the competition was phenomenal, with 371 towns putting in bids. We have been keen to capitalise on the excitement that the competition has generated and, given the high quality of bids, have decided to launch a second round of the competition, which will see a further 15 town centres selected to be Portas Pilots by the end of July. The Greater London Authority has agreed to fund three of these in London. The deadline for applications to round 2 is 30 June.
	Retailers are also able to benefit from the same range of support offered by BIS to help small and medium-sized businesses to start and thrive through:
	Improved access to finance.
	A more positive business environment which supports growth and ease of starting a business, and where new businesses and economic opportunities are more evenly shared between regions and industries.
	A major programme to reform the way that people running a business get the information, guidance and support they need to start and grow a business.
	Building a more entrepreneurial culture, equipping people with the skills and ambition to start a business.

Overseas Trade: BRIC Countries

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to help small and medium-sized enterprises access markets in (a) Brazil, (b) Russia, (c) India and (d) China.

Mark Prisk: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 24 May 2012, Official Report, column 880-1W, to my hon. Friend the Member for South Swindon (Mr Buckland).

Patents: EU Action

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make representations to the European Commission to ensure new powers for the Court of Patents does not affect the UK patent industry adversely.

Norman Lamb: The Unified Patent Court would be established by an intergovernmental agreement between participating member states of the European Union. The EU itself is not a party to the agreement.
	Negotiations on the intergovernmental agreement creating the patent court are still ongoing. The Government has put forward a strong case for the UK to host the seat of the central division of the patent court and we are working hard to ensure that the details of the proposals deliver the most effective arrangements for UK business and their representatives who will use the court.

Post Offices: Rural Areas

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate has been made of the number of operational rural post offices in (a) 2000, (b) 2005, (c) 2010 and (d) 2012.

Norman Lamb: The information requested is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked Paula Vennells, the chief executive, to respond directly to my hon. Friend and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Postage Stamps: Prices

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the cost to small and medium-sized businesses resulting from the recent rise in stamp prices.

Norman Lamb: Under the Postal Services Act 2011, Parliament gave Ofcom, as an independent regulator, the primary duty of securing the universal postal service. The Act also set out minimum requirements for a universal postal service and this included a service at affordable prices in accordance with a uniform public tariff. It is therefore Ofcom's responsibility to monitor and assess the effect of postal price increases on consumers, which includes small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
	Following consultation, Ofcom decided to remove traditional price controls on Royal Mail's postal prices and imposed a safeguard cap on second class letters to ensure that a basic universal service remained available and affordable. Given the importance of ensuring that universal services remain affordable over time, Ofcom will closely monitor the effect of future prices on consumers, which Ofcom acknowledged includes small businesses. More information about Ofcom's assessment of affordability can be found in its decision paper “Securing the Universal Postal Service—Decision on the new regulatory framework”, which can be accessed on its website
	www.ofcom.org.uk
	The Government welcomed Ofcom's decision and the safeguards they put in place to monitor Royal Mail. I, as the Minister for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs, am satisfied that Ofcom made their decision taking into account the effect on SMEs and that further assessment by Government is not necessary.

Regional Growth Fund: Floods

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills against what criteria his Department would assess a Regional Growth Fund application for funding for flood defences.

David Willetts: All bids to the Regional Growth Fund are assessed against the same criteria. To qualify for support from the Regional Growth Fund, projects should demonstrate that they:
	create additional sustainable private sector growth;
	rebalance the economy in those areas currently dependent on the public sector;
	would not otherwise go ahead without support from the Regional Growth Fund;
	offer value for money; this includes sources of wider economic benefit, e.g. flood defences;
	be state aid compliant.

Regional Growth Fund: Housing

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many successful bids to the regional growth fund contained a house-building component; how many of those bids have received their funding; and how many are under review by the Minister for Housing.

Mark Prisk: Four successful bids to the regional growth fund contained a significant house-building component: two from Round 1 and two from Round 2. The offer letter for one project has been finalised, and the beneficiary can draw down funding as they need it. Two offers are with the beneficiaries for review and due-diligence. One offer is under review by the Minister for Housing due to the amount of demolition involved in the project (the original bid was to support house building on cleared sites).

Retail Trade: Credit Cards

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to reduce the cost to small retailers of offering card payment facilities to customers.

Mark Prisk: It is a commercial decision for the individual business whether or not to offer credit or debit card payment facilities to customers, and to decide the goods for which they will and will not accept card payments.
	Transaction fees for credit and debit cards are a commercial matter between the merchant (the retailer) and the acquirer (the bank/credit company who provides the transaction services/point of sale machinery).

Skilled Workers: West Midlands

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department has taken to improve manufacturing and research skill levels in the west midlands since 2010.

David Willetts: The Government are increasing manufacturing and research skills in the west midlands through programmes such as the regional growth fund (RGF) and the grant for business investment (GBI) providing funding to a number of firms undertaking major investments in the region, such as Jaguar Land Rover, Ceram and Zytek. These will involve extensive training programmes. Round 3 of the RGF is now open for applications.
	Core cities, including Birmingham, have received up to £500,000 from the city skills fund to boost the provision of skills needed by local employers. The Government are also challenging cities to develop apprenticeship city hubs which will help local businesses, particularly small businesses, to take on apprentices.
	A network of seven world-leading Catapult centres have now been announced, aiming to transform the UK’s capability for innovation in specific technology areas.
	The first Catapult in High Value Manufacturing opened for business in October 2011 and will receive over £140 million over a six-year period. This centre will take a cross-sectoral approach and support all forms of manufacture using metals and composites, process manufacturing technologies and bio-processing. The High Value Manufacturing Catapult comprises seven centres, including two in the west midlands—the Warwick Manufacturing Group and the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry—and will make a long-term contribution to UK growth.
	The Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) supports investment in improved skills and training support as well as in research and development and capital equipment. Stream 1 of AMSCI is a national scheme available to all advanced manufacturing sectors across England. Stream 2 funding is available to automotive and aerospace suppliers in four LEP areas which include much of the industrial heartland of the west midlands.
	The new Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) provides a range of specialist assistance to manufacturing businesses across England, including linking SMEs with the Apprenticeship programme delivering a minimum of 1,250 engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships annually. As one of the UK’s main manufacturing regions, the west midlands is expected to be a major beneficiary of the new MAS.

Social Mobility: Research

Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what research he has conducted or assessed on the most significant factor in increasing social mobility in Britain.

Mark Prisk: The Department has not conducted or assessed research on the most significant factor in increasing social mobility. However, we have published a literature review of research on social mobility, where this relates to the policy responsibilities of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). This review was undertaken as part of the development of the Government's Social Mobility Strategy, published in May 2011.
	On 22 May 2012, the Government published a progress report “Social Mobility One Year On”, which included a full set of social mobility indicators. The report explains how Government will build a better understanding of progress on social mobility.
	BIS supports research programmes related to social mobility, including funding for the Economic and Social Research Council. This research underpins the Government's understanding of the factors affecting social mobility in the UK. The Department is involved in two key programmes:
	The Understanding Poverty programme, led by the Research Centre on Micro-Social Change, has provided significantly increased understanding of how poverty and low pay persist, and the factors influencing social mobility. The findings have informed policies for combating child poverty, the reform of the UK tax system, and the Opportunity for All programme run by the Department for Work and Pensions.
	The new Birth Cohort Facility Project, as set out in “Opening Doors, Breaking Barriers”, the Government's 2011 Social Mobility Strategy, is being implemented by BIS. This project will build new world-class capability, which will enable in-depth analysis of data collected from both current and future UK birth cohort studies. The initial findings from the Birth Cohort Study will be published in July 2015.

Students: Finance

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the answer of 23 April 2012, Official Report, column 744W, on students: loans, for what reasons his Department tracks non-completion rates in institutions that draw down Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) funding but not institutions where there is no HEFCE funding but students are eligible to receive student loans.

David Willetts: Institutions in receipt of grant funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) are required to submit data to the Higher Education Statistical Agency (HESA) as a condition of that funding. These arrangements have been in place since HESA was established in 1993. Under current arrangements HEFCE cannot place requirements on institutions that it does not fund. It is one of the anomalies of the current system that our proposed higher education reforms intend to address.

Students: Finance

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the answer of 23 April 2012, Official Report, column 743W, on students: loans, what mechanism he plans to use to ensure that all higher education providers whose students access student support funding provide sufficient and proportionate information on non-completion rates to students and the public.

David Willetts: We are committed to moving towards a more level playing field for all higher education providers. Further details on our plans will be published shortly.

Students: Finance

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the Answer of 16 April 2012, Official Report, column 294W, on students: finance, 
	(1)  on what basis he estimates the funding required for the student loans of those enrolled on designated higher education course where there is no limit on (a) student numbers and (b) the number of courses designated;
	(2)  whether his Department has set a number of enrolments at which it would cease to fund student loans for those enrolled on higher education courses;
	(3)  what meetings he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to discuss student loan funding for off-quota student places enrolled on designated higher education courses;
	(4)  on what basis his Department budgets for expenditure on student loans where the number of student places on designated courses is not limited.

David Willetts: Expenditure on courses not subject to student number controls will account for around 1% of the student support budgets in 2011/12.
	We will manage any additional financial pressures (over and above our cash outlay estimates for student support), including those arising from such courses, as and when they arise from within existing departmental budgets.
	I have not had any conversations with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about providing specific funding for these students.

Students: Finance

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department has spent on promoting the student support scheme to (a) mature and (b) younger applicants.

David Willetts: An information campaign about the reforms to higher education (HE) student finance ran from May 2011 to February 2012 and cost £2.61 million. Messaging to mature applicants was a feature of the campaign, but it is not possible to disaggregate this activity as a portion of the total spend.
	Campaign targeting was appropriate for both mature and younger applicants. For example the radio advertising featured slots for both audiences, in particular drive-time for mature listeners; the Student Finance Tour targeted mature students studying in further education colleges as well as young people in schools; and the campaign website had a section specifically for those considering part-time HE courses, many of whom would be mature students.
	For 2012, we are repeating the Student Finance Tour which will target mature and young people who intend to apply for 2013/14. It will also reach out this year to other 15 to 18-year-olds who will be applying in future years.
	BIS has also set up a stakeholder reference group comprised of key representatives from organisations with an interest in part-time students. This group was formed specifically to seek advice and input on tailoring communications for prospective mature part-time students in particular. Working with the group, we have revised and reissued existing part-time communication materials and produced new materials which best reflect mature and part-time students as a target audience.
	We continue to work with the HE sector to ensure the messages to mature students about student finance are disseminated as widely as possible.

Students: Finance

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the withdrawal of direct public funding for Level 3 qualifications for those aged 24 or over on the progression of mature applicants to higher education from 2013-14.

John Hayes: The Department has undertaken a regulatory impact assessment for 24+ advanced learning loans, which will be published following clearance by the Regulatory Reform Committee. We will publish an equality impact assessment alongside this.

Students: Finance

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students in the (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12 academic year who applied for their student loan within the correct timeframe did not receive it (i) by the start of the first term of the academic year, (ii) within one month of the start of the first term of the academic year and (iii) more than one month after the start of the first term of the academic year.

David Willetts: The Student Loans Company (SLC) do not publish this information in the form requested. SLC do monitor the percentage of core applications received before the student support application deadline and processed for payment before the start of term. Figures for both academic years show that over 99% of core applications were processed before the start of term. Where students did not submit complete financial evidence in time to support their applications, or the university or college could not confirm attendance, this may inadvertently lead to a delay in payment.

Students: Loans

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of full-time undergraduate students take out maintenance loans in England; and what the (a) minimum value, (b) maximum value and (c) average value was of such loans in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Willetts: On average, students domiciled in England took out an income-contingent maintenance loan of £3,630 in the 2010/11 academic year compared to £3,600 in 2009/10. This is an average based on eligible students who were paid a maintenance loan. Some 855,300 (or 82%) of students who were eligible for a maintenance loan did so in the academic year 2009/10, the latest year for which estimates are available.
	Maintenance loans form only part of the total maintenance support available—students can also apply for means-tested, non-repayable maintenance grants. For students who began courses in the 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12 academic years, 28% of the maximum amount of maintenance loan available is dependent on a means test—the remaining 72% is not.

Supermarkets: Prices

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made an assessment of the findings of the report by Which? on multibuy supermarket offers; and whether he is planning to take any steps to increase consumer protection in relation to such offers.

Norman Lamb: The Department is currently considering the briefing provided by Which?, including whether there is a need to amend the Department's Pricing Practices Guide in respect of supermarket multi-buy offers. The Government have no plans to change the regulation of price indications under which it is already a criminal offence to mislead consumers as to the price of goods and services, including as to the existence of any price advantage.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Business

Anne-Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to encourage growth and competitiveness in rural farms and businesses in Devon.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA works across Government ensuring measures designed to support economic growth are having proportionate and positive impacts in rural areas.
	On 29 November 2011, the Government announced a strong package of new measures, designed to stimulate sustainable growth in the rural economy and to help businesses reach their full potential. The results of this include the establishment of five Rural Growth Networks in 2012-13 (including one in Devon and Somerset) and the targeting of £100 million of Rural Development Programme for England funding at meeting Rural Economy Growth Review priorities.
	Broadband connectivity is also vital for economic prosperity and the Government have invested £530 million to support the roll-out of broadband across all rural areas. Through the £20 million Rural Community Broadband Fund, the Government are also providing grant support to enable communities (including businesses) to access superfast broadband in hard-to-reach locations.
	£150 million is also being invested in the UK to improve mobile phone coverage.

Agriculture: Co-operatives

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential for agricultural co-operatives in the UK.

James Paice: By collaborating with each other, farmers will be in a much stronger position to negotiate with the large businesses that buy the majority of farm produce and sell inputs. And by collaborating with others in the food chain they can better understand, and respond to, the needs of the market.
	Of course there is no guarantee that collaboration will work for all, or that every collaborative enterprise will succeed. However, there are plenty of good examples of successful co-operatives both in the UK and abroad and specialist bodies exist to provide business advice and guidance to help collaborative enterprises to succeed.

Agriculture: Lancashire

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding her Department has provided for farming schemes in the (a) Lune Valley and (b) Lancaster area in the last 12 months.

James Paice: The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) socio-economic investment programme (2007 to 2013) offers a range of nationally available products to protect and promote the agricultural industry across England, although we are not able to provide detail at constituency level. However, the programme is tailored to the priorities identified in the Rural Economy Growth Review and includes;
	Up to £20 million for the Farm and Forestry Improvement Scheme—providing small grants of between £2,500 and £25,000 to enable the development of farm, forestry, and horticulture businesses. To date 17 of these have been from Lancashire, with a further 42 grants offered prior to the launch of this scheme to support livestock farmers in the area.
	Up to £60 million for the Rural Economy Grant—providing large grants of over £25,000 up to circa £1 million (no set upper cap) to enable the transformational change in the economic performance of farm, forestry, tourism, and agri-food businesses.
	Up to £20 million for a Skills and Knowledge Transfer programme—training providers are currently being procured, with the programme due to commence in the autumn 2012.
	The Local Action Group in this area has also invested over £37,000 in a local farm business at Conder Green, Lancaster, for equipment to expand ‘on farm’ milk bottling and egg production.
	In total over 60 RDPE grants in and around the constituency area of North and Pennine Lancashire in the last 12 months, totalling over £263,600 of investment.
	Details of EU Common Agricultural Policy payments to all legal persons (i.e. not including natural persons); can be found on the CAP beneficiaries website at:
	http://cap-payments.defra.gov.uk/
	Funding has also been made available under the Environmental Stewardship Scheme but detailed information is not available for either area.

Agriculture: Land

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to undertake work on the reclassification of farmland as part of less favoured area remapping.

James Paice: In October 2011, the European Commission published proposals for a revised less favoured areas designation—to be called areas facing natural constraints (ANC)—as part of its common agricultural policy reform package. The UK has just established the final elements of data necessary to update our ANC mapping simulations in line with the published proposals. The update will be pursued in each part of the UK in the coming weeks, and we will work closely with the devolved Administrations to produce a UK map. The results are expected later in the summer and we will discuss these with stakeholders as well as the European Commission.
	Current proposals require the mapping to be undertaken at land administrative unit 2 scale (electoral wards). The UK is pressing hard for flexibility to map using other administrative units that are compliant with World Trade Organisation rules, to ensure the best possible representation of land which is naturally constrained. We are exploring potential alternative units in our simulations.
	The European Commission is currently expected to finalise its requirements for ANC in spring 2013, after which we will commence the production of maps for formal designation of ANC in the UK.

Agriculture: Land

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of recent trends in the total area of uncropped land in England.

James Paice: Results from DEFRA’s annual June survey, available at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/foodfarm/landuselivestock/junesurvey/
	show that there were 139,000 hectares of uncropped arable land in England in 2011, a 7.2% decrease from June 2010, as shown in the following table, with farmers taking advantage of good planting and market conditions to grow more cereals and oilseed rape, leaving less land uncropped. Official DEFRA figures for June 2012 will be available in August 2012.
	
		
			 Area of uncropped arable land in England 
			  Area (Thousand hectares) 
			 2000 505 
			 2001 733 
			 2002 539 
			 2003 607 
			 2004 496 
		
	
	
		
			 2005 530 
			 2006 494 
			 2007 423 
			 2008 159 
			 2009 221 
			 2010 149 
			 2011 139

Agriculture: Minimum Wage

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the Agricultural Wages Board's proposed increases in minimum wages in Scotland.

James Paice: The issue of agricultural wages in Scotland is a devolved issue, and as such it would be inappropriate for DEFRA to comment.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether farmers in stewardship schemes will be exempted from implementing additional environmental measures in return for payments under the common agricultural policy scheme.

James Paice: One of our stated principles for greening and CAP reform is that there must be recognition of the efforts of those farmers who have already committed to environmental measures under Pillar 2.
	In the Pillar 1 context we have discussed the possibility that farmers in agri-environment schemes could be exempt from any greening requirement. But this is only one of a number of options under discussion and agreement remains some way off. At the last Agriculture Council the Commission floated the possibility that agri-environment schemes and other certified schemes could, under certain circumstances, be considered as fulfilling one or several of the greening measures.
	We welcome this initiative from the Commission as the basis of further discussion. However, if we are to make cost-effective use of Pillar 2 resources to pay for a range of rural development measures it is important we do not pay twice for those costs and activities already paid for in Pillar 1. All qualifying schemes should also be of sufficient environmental merit.

Air Pollution

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what steps her Department takes against local authorities which do not meet EU limits for levels of harmful pollutants in their areas;
	(2)  what steps she is taking to ensure local authorities take an active role in reducing the level of harmful pollutants.

Richard Benyon: The responsibility to meet EU limit values rests with the Secretary of State rather than directly with local authorities. Under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995, local authorities have a duty to review local air quality against national objectives for air pollutants, as set out in the Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000. Where these objectives are not met, the local authority must declare an air quality management area and prepare an action plan in pursuit of the standards and objectives in the area using any powers available to it. These measures will also support the achievement of EU limit values. The Secretary of State is a statutory consultee to these action plans and any reports or assessments prepared in accordance with these duties.
	The Government work with local authorities to ensure they prioritise local air quality matters and carry out their statutory duties fully. The Secretary of State provides guidance on the assessment of local air quality, on the preparation of air quality action plans and on measures to improve local air quality, including transport measures. The Government also fund a helpline service which local authorities can contact for practical and technical advice on air quality monitoring, modelling, emission inventories and action plan measures. This is to ensure consistency and best practice in the execution of the duties. DEFRA officials are in regular contact with local authorities, to share knowledge and to discuss reports and action plans on local air quality as necessary.

Amphibians and Fish

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the Trade Control and Expert System data held by her Department on imports of amphibians and ornamental fish from (a) inside and (b) outside the EU for the period from 2006 to 2011.

Richard Benyon: The Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) is the responsibility of the European Commission. The information requested cannot be obtained at this time due to technical difficulties with the system. I will write to the hon. Member with the information when it is available.

Animal Feed: EU Law

Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if her Department will consider pushing for a review of the Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002 which bans the feeding of catering and domestic food waste to livestock.

Richard Benyon: The Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002 was reviewed and replaced by a new Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No. 1069/2009 which came into force on 4 March 2011. The ban on feeding of catering waste was considered as part of that review with the European Commission stating that:
	“the potential risks especially to animal health largely outweigh the benefits from such practice. In addition, the rules on animal by-products offer substantial ways of using catering waste, such as in biogas plants or for the production of bio-fuels”.
	This view was accepted by the European Council and Parliament, which maintained the ban in the replacement regulation.
	Nevertheless, DEFRA is currently conducting a review on the benefits and risks of using food waste in animal feed (Project FO0218) to inform future policy on this issue and the outcome will be reported at the end of 2012.

Animal Welfare

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many improvement notices were issued by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency inspectors under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for (a) farm animals and (b) other species in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011; and how many of these improvement notices were complied with and required no further action.

James Paice: The information is as follows:
	(a) The data in the following table refer to the number of improvement notices served by Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency in England and Wales (where the AWA 2006 applies) at an enterprise(1) level. The number of farms where a notice was served will generally be less than the figures below as multiple farms on the same County Parish Holding number have been recorded with a notice.
	(1) An enterprise can be a dairy, beef breeding, laying hen units on a premises (CPH) i.e. usually more than one enterprise per CPH.
	
		
			 Action 2010 2011 
			 Notice 44(1) 42(2) 
			 (1) Data extracted from DEFRA Management Information System Vetnet on 25 May 2012. (2) Data extracted from DEFRA Management Information System Vetnet on 25 May 2012. 
		
	
	The AHVLA provides guidance to farmers on how to comply with the Notice and assesses the resultant action taken. It is not possible to uniquely identify where Notices have not been complied with, but where compliance has not been achieved AHVLA will follow up with further inspections and actions including formal cautions, prosecution, and in extreme cases euthanasia of an animal in extremis.
	(b) AHVLA has not served any enforcement notices for other species.

Animal Welfare: Circuses

Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by what date she plans to implement the ban on wild animals in travelling circuses.

James Paice: I refer the right hon. Member to my written ministerial statement on 1 March 2012, Official Report, columns 41-42WS. A ban will be implemented as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what steps her Department is taking in response to recent research suggesting that the liver fluke parasite could lead to one third of cattle TB tests being ineffective;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the risks of moving cattle following false-negative tests due to the presence of the liver fluke parasite and the potential for transmitting TB to other cattle;
	(3)  what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on any correlation between the density of badger population, the levels of fluke infestation and the incidence of bovine TB; and whether she has made an assessment of the implications of any such correlations for tackling bovine TB.

James Paice: The hypothesis that concurrent infestations, including liver fluke, may impact on TB test sensitivity is not new. To test their theory that liver fluke impairs the response to the primary screening test for cattle TB in cattle in Great Britain, Liverpool university researchers conducted an experiment co-infecting calves with both liver fluke and Mycobacterium bovis. They found that the standard TB test did not produce false negative results and was able to identify all the experimentally TB and liver fluke-infected calves.
	So the low incidence of positive cases of bovine TB in some areas where liver fluke is more prevalent cannot be used to claim liver fluke is hiding cases. Moreover, since cattle carcases are routinely inspected for TB in abattoirs, if such masking was happening at the farm level (when herds are tested for TB), we would expect to see higher rates of bovine TB lesions in carcases of animals from areas where liver fluke is more common, which is not the case.
	On the other hand, the evidence has shown that badgers are a reservoir of bovine TB and transmit the disease to cattle. Cattle measures remain the foundation of our TB eradication programme but we will not succeed in eliminating the disease in cattle unless we also tackle the disease in badgers.
	Nevertheless, we continue to fund research looking at the effect of other diseases on the current diagnostic tests for bovine TB and we are also funding research to improve the diagnostic tests.

Carbon Emissions

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's total level of carbon emissions was between (a) 1 April 2010 and 1 April 2011 and (b) 2 April 2011 and 1 April 2012.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA's carbon emissions, taken from reported figures in the annual accounts, are as follows:
	
		
			  Tonnes 
			 2010-11 49,690.81 
			 2011-12: 45,580.57 
			 Note: Data for electricity and gas that are not available for the fourth quarter at the time of reporting have been substituted with data from the previous year. This is not expected to significantly affect the overall number. 
		
	
	The figures include emissions from buildings for the following executive agencies and NDPBs:
	Executive agencies
	Rural Payments Agency
	Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency
	Veterinary Medicines Directorate
	Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
	Food and Environment Research Agency
	NDPBs
	Natural England
	Marine Management Organisation

Carbon Emissions

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department introduced to reduce its carbon emissions in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012.

Richard Benyon: Through its carbon reduction programme core DEFRA is continually identifying and reviewing opportunities for improving energy efficiency and implementing initiatives, to ensure that the Department is on track to meets its CO2 reduction obligations. The delivery plan is updated regularly and informed by regular benchmarking and targeting of energy use, and through in-depth energy surveys. Initiatives fall into four categories:
	(1) Improved management of equipment through:
	ongoing training and development of facilities management personnel; and
	implementation of more effective control mechanisms (timers, thermostats etc); supported by
	a ‘temperature set point’ policy in certain buildings;
	(2) Implementation of technologies (such as low energy lighting, voltage optimisation) which improve the energy efficiency of buildings;
	(3) Staff behavioural change campaigns to encourage staff to consider more energy efficient ways of working;
	(4) Input to estate strategy decisions enabling the Department to consider energy and sustainability performance in property rationalisation decisions.
	Specific measures implemented by core DEFRA, its executive agencies and certain NPDBs include:
	2010
	Voltage optimisation devices installed at various locations
	Upgrades to some Building Management Systems
	Insulation and lagging installations
	Lighting upgrades to lower energy lighting
	2011
	A survey of four major laboratories on the estate to identify areas for energy saving. The recommendations are being developed into a delivery plan for project implementation in 2012-13
	Upgrades to further Building Management Systems
	Boiler optimisation devices fitted
	Window draught proofing
	Further lighting upgrades to lower energy lighting
	2012
	Installation of automatic meter reading (AMR) devices on gas meters
	Replacement of autoclaves (sterilisers)
	Further lighting upgrades to lower energy lighting
	The above information covers core DEFRA, its Executive agencies (Rural Payments Agency, Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Food and Environment Research Agency) and NDPBs Natural England and Marine Management Organisation.

Cattle: Animal Welfare

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the welfare of show cattle.

James Paice: The UK Government are committed to ensuring that all animals are bred and kept in accordance with high standards of animal welfare. The deputy chief veterinary officer for England, and the presidents of the British Cattle Veterinary Association and the British Veterinary Association wrote to the Veterinary Record and Veterinary Times at the end of May, to raise concerns over certain practices by exhibitors at agricultural shows. They urged show veterinarians to report suspected breaches of animal welfare legislation to the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency so cases could be investigated and the appropriate action taken.
	UK agricultural shows and breed society “Showing Rules” support good animal husbandry practices which members and participants are required to abide by when showing registered cattle.

Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats: Contracts

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what (a) grants and (b) contracts her Department has awarded to companies or organisations run by individuals who were previously employed in any capacity by (i) the Conservative party or its elected representatives and (ii) the Liberal Democrat party or its elected representatives since May 2010; what the (A) value and (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether they were publicly advertised;
	(2)  what (a) grants and (b) contracts her Department has awarded to companies or organisations run by individuals who previously held an elected position as a member of the (i) Conservative party and (ii) Liberal Democrat party since May 2010; what the (A) value and (B) nature was of these contracts; and whether they were publicly advertised;
	(3)  which individuals have been paid by her Department for consultancy or other services who were previously employed in any capacity by the (a) Conservative party or its elected representatives and (b) Liberal Democrat party or its elected representatives since May 2010; what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services provided; and whether they were publicly advertised;
	(4)  which individuals have been paid by her Department for consultancy or other services who previously held an elected position as a member of the (a) Conservative party and (b) Liberal Democrat party since May 2010; what the (i) cost and (ii) nature was of the services provided; and whether they were publicly advertised.

Richard Benyon: As part of this Government's transparency agenda, since 2010 all contracts over the value of £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder:
	http://transparency-archive.number10.gov.uk/transparency/contract-finder/search

Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many letters to Ministers in her Department were (a) not answered, (b) not answered within six months and (c) not answered within three months in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how many such letters were from hon. Members; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: The figures given as follows are for all correspondence (including e-mails) received by core DEFRA (excluding that transferred to other Government Departments). DEFRA's systems do not record correspondence by addressee; letters addressed to Ministers could be separated out only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 (i) 2010-11 
			   Not answered in three months Not answered in six months 
			  Total letters received Number Percentage Number Percentage 
			 Total 39,576 93 0.2 9 Less than 0.1 
			 Of which:      
			 Letters from hon. Members 10,680 41 0.4 3 Less than 0.1 
		
	
	
		
			 (ii) 2011-12 
			   Not answered in three months Not answered in six months 
			  Total letters received Number Percentage Number Percentage 
			 Total 35,743 109 0.3 4 Less than 0.1 
			 Of which:      
			 Letters from hon. Members 9,454 52 0.6 3 Less than 0.1 
		
	
	Of the 109 not answered within three months during 2011-12, only 23 remain outstanding.

Dairy Farming

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to introduce the measures on farmers' contracts contained in the EU dairy package; and what assessment she has made of whether such measures will rebalance the dairy supply chain.

James Paice: It is our preference that the industry develops a robust voluntary code of contractual good practice that could be in place more quickly than the EU dairy package and would keep the industry in control of how contracts deal with all the issues which are critical to farmers and processors.
	A voluntary code would offer the best way of industry achieving the improvement sought by all parties.

Dangerous Dogs

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to protect guide dogs from attacks by other dogs.

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has any plans to tackle the problem of attacks by other dogs on guide dogs for the blind.

James Paice: We are concerned about the reported rising number of attacks on guide dogs and the distress such attacks can cause for their owners.
	The existing law on dangerous dogs makes it an offence to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place or a place it has no right to be. The definition of "dangerously out of control" means on any occasion where there are grounds for reasonable apprehension that it will injure any person, whether or not it actually does so. As with any other dog owner, I would expect there to be many instances where the owner of a guide dog would have reasonable grounds to believe a dog attacking his dog may also attack him. In addition, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal under the control of man. This could result in the prosecution of a dog owner whose dog has attacked another animal.
	The Government announced a package of proposals for tackling irresponsible dog ownership on 23 April, sending a clear signal that dog owners must take responsibility for keeping their animals under control. In addition to these proposals, we are also taking forward other work that we consider will help tackle irresponsible ownership of dogs. In addition, on 22 May the Home Office published a White Paper setting out proposals to reform the way that the police and local communities tackle anti-social behaviour. The White Paper provides details as to how the reforms will lead to a more effective strategy for tackling dog-related antisocial behaviour.
	Finally, there are currently a number of initiatives that are undertaken at local level which are designed to promote more responsible ownership of dogs. We want to see more projects of this kind and we feel that those who may be interested in setting up projects need to know what works well and in what circumstances. To enable this to happen, DEFRA are funding innovative projects to provide learning that can be applied more widely.

Dangerous Dogs

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the timetable is for bringing forward proposals on dangerous dogs.

James Paice: The proposals are subject to consultation and we welcome people's views before the consultation period ends on 15 June. We want to take action as quickly as possible after that.

Debts Written Off

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much bad debt was written off by her Department in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: The amount of bad debt written off by the core Department for 2010-11 was £215,460.07.
	Figures for 2011-12 will not be available until the publication of DEFRA's 2011-12 Annual Report and Accounts in mid-July.

Disclosure of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department spent on the updating of published data in line with the Government's transparency agenda in each month since September 2011.

Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA does not hold detailed information on the cost of updating published data in line with the Government's transparency agenda.

Droughts: Horticulture

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on exempting landscape gardeners from a hosepipe ban; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: The Government continue to work closely with all sectors to understand and mitigate the impacts of the continuing drought. Temporary water use bans are applied by water companies. However, restrictions have been kept under regular review and an exemption was made for landscaping, turf and gardening businesses on 21 May following the recent heavy rainfall. The exemption applies to the first 28 days from the day of planting, sowing or turf-laying.

Empty Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the empty or largely empty buildings owned by her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: The Department's core property holdings include core DEFRA, the Executive agencies and Natural England's administrative office estate. Within this overall estate, there are three sites owned by the Department defined as vacant or largely vacant—Coley Park in Reading, Quantock House in Taunton and Agricola House in Penrith.
	The Department is undertaking disposal action on all sites as they are surplus to business need.

Fisheries

Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to ensure an equitable distinction between the jurisdiction of the Environment Agency Wales and Environment England in shared waters for the purposes of monitoring cockling activity.

Richard Benyon: I believe this question refers to the cockle fishery on the Dee, which is the only cockle fishery whose boundaries straddle English and Welsh waters.
	The management of cockles on the Dee is undertaken by the Environment Agency under a Regulating Order (which is granted to the Environment Agency) and a Management Plan. The management of the Dee is also carried out in accordance with an annual Appropriate Assessment agreed with the Countryside Council for Wales and Natural England. The Environment Agency in Wales leads on the management of the Dee cockle fishery, working closely with English colleagues, including enforcement, and the local fishing industry in both England and Wales. A Sea Fisheries Liaison Group has also been set up. This provides advice on the management of the fishery and comprises representatives from the fishing industry and statutory bodies on both sides of the estuary.

Fisheries: Conservation

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received about damaging fishing activities in European marine sites; and what discussions her Department has had with the Marine Management Organisation about steps it is taking to protect the conservation status of these sites.

Richard Benyon: Representations have been received by DEFRA and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on this issue, including most recently from the Marine Conservation Society, Client Earth and the Wildlife Trusts.
	DEFRA officials have been in discussion with the MMO in relation to the appropriate management action needed to ensure effective conservation for European marine sites. Information about statutory and non-statutory management measures undertaken by the MMO to further the conservation of European marine sites is routinely placed on its website on a site-by-site basis.

Fisheries: Conservation

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to end scallop dredging in sites recommended for designation as marine conservation zones.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA will be consulting on all the recommendations for marine conservation zones in December 2012, with a view to designating the first tranche of sites in summer 2013. Decisions on management measures, including those relating to scallop fishing, will be taken by the relevant authorities in line with the conservation objectives for each site, and according to the provisions of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

Fisheries: Morecambe

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to protect and police the shell fisheries industry in the Morecambe Bay area.

Richard Benyon: The management of the Morecombe Bay cockle fishery is the responsibility of North Western Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority (IFCA). The IFCA works closely with the cockle industry, local authorities and the Marine Management Organisation to ensure good management of the fishery.

Flood Control

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which flood defence schemes that were in the planning stage and published by the Environment Agency in 2010-11 have (a) started and (b) not started.

Richard Benyon: In 2010-11, 137 flood and coastal erosion schemes were in the planning stage i.e. they had some funding for project development but no construction contract had yet been awarded. Of these, 98 schemes are progressing in 2012-13, or have already completed (listed in Table A as follows), 38 schemes have either not yet started or will no longer proceed (listed in Tables B and C as follows), and one scheme was reclassified as primarily delivering navigation benefits.
	Of the 38 schemes not yet started or no longer proceeding:
	Seven schemes have not yet progressed because business case approval was not obtained in time for the 2012-13 allocations of funding, and one scheme is awaiting modelling outputs. Six schemes have been identified as regional priorities by regional flood and coastal committees and work is progressing to identify funding to allow them to proceed. These 14 schemes are listed in Table B.
	16 schemes offered less benefit compared to other schemes and will either be deferred to later years or will need additional contributions to proceed. The remaining eight schemes either did not pass minimum requirements to qualify for national funding or were no longer needed following project appraisal. These 24 schemes are listed in Table C.
	The Government will spend £2.17 billion on managing the risk of flooding and coastal erosion over this spending period (April 2011 to March 2015). Estimates show that risk management authorities are on track to exceed the goal of better protecting 145,000 homes by March 2015.
	
		
			 Table A: Flood and coastal erosion schemes progressing or already completed 
			 Scheme Name Environment Agency Region Risk Management Authority 
			 Godmanchester Flood Defence Improvement Scheme Anglian Environment Agency 
			 Middle Level Barrier Bank Erosion Protection Anglian Environment Agency 
			 Reconstruction of Haddenham Pumping Station Anglian Haddenham Level District Drainage Commissioners 
			 Ipswich Flood Defence Management Scheme: Tidal Barrier Anglian Environment Agency 
			 Central Felixstowe Beach Management Works Anglian Suffolk Coastal District Council 
			 Cromer Coast Protection Scheme 982 Anglian North Norfolk District Council 
			 Chelmsford Flood Alleviation Schemes Anglian Environment Agency 
			 Ipswich Flood Defence Management Scheme: M&E Works Anglian Environment Agency 
			 Whittlesey Washes Reservoir Works Anglian Environment Agency 
			 Grimsby Flood Alleviation Scheme Anglian Environment Agency 
			 Fiskerton Sluice Refurbishment Anglian Environment Agency 
			 Louth Improvements Anglian Environment Agency 
			 Boston Barrage/Barrier Works Anglian Environment Agency 
			 Horsbere Brook, Gloucester, Flood Alleviation Scheme Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Prestbury Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Warden Hill Flood Relief Works Midlands Cheltenham Borough Council 
			 Lubbesthorpe Brook Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Cone Pill to Lydney Improvement Works Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Tanyard Stream Culvert Replacement Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Scotch Brook, Stone Flood Alleviation Scheme Midlands Environment Agency 
			 River Leen floodwall at Hickling and Pentecost dyeworks Midlands Environment Agency 
		
	
	
		
			 River Tame, Whitacre, Tamworth and Fazeley, Coton, Flood Alleviation Scheme Midlands Environment Agency 
			 River Tame, Witton, Birmingham, Flood Alleviation Scheme Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Refurbishment of Burton Walls Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Walverden Water Flood Alleviation Scheme North West Environment Agency 
			 Keswick flood Defence Improvements North West Environment Agency 
			 Keckwick Brook, Runcorn North West Environment Agency 
			 Didsbury Flood Basin Drainage Improvements North West Environment Agency 
			 Millingford Brook at Lincoln Drive North West Environment Agency 
			 Low Crosby Flood Alleviation Scheme North West Environment Agency 
			 Wiza Beck, Wigton Flood Alleviation Scheme North West Environment Agency 
			 Cockermouth Town Flood Risk Management Scheme North West Environment Agency 
			 River Mersey Warrington Flood Risk Management Scheme North West Environment Agency 
			 Littlehampton Arun Tidal Defences East Bank South East Environment Agency 
			 Medmerry Managed Realignment South East Environment Agency 
			 Margate Flood and Coast Protection Scheme South East Thanet District Council 
			 Pevensey Outfalls Reconstruction South East Environment Agency 
			 Eastbourne Beach Management—5 yr Plan (2010-11 to 2014-15) (yr 1 to 5) South East Eastbourne Borough Council 
			 Selsey and Wittering Beach Recharge South East Chichester District Council 
			 West Wittering Flood Banks South East Environment Agency 
			 Denge Beach Management South East Environment Agency 
			 Tidal Outfalls Reconstruction Programme South East Environment Agency 
			 Mill Leese Reservoir Improvements South East Environment Agency 
			 Kent and East Sussex Culvert Rectification Works South East Environment Agency 
			 Solent Culvert Repair and Clearance Works South East Environment Agency 
			 Coronation Parade Works South East Shepway District Council 
			 Implementation of the Hurst Spit Beach Management Plan (2012-13 to 2017-18) South East New Forest District Council 
			 Milton Creek Outfall South East Environment Agency 
			 Christchurch Bay Beach Management Plan (completed) South East New Forest District Council 
			 Urgent Works, Milford-on-Sea (completed) South East New Forest District Council 
			 Seasalter to Graveney Sea Defences (completed) South East Environment Agency 
			 Upper Mole Flood Alleviation Scheme South East Environment Agency 
			 Salmons Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme South East Environment Agency 
			 Penton Hook Restoration South East Environment Agency 
			 Barking and Dagenham MEICA Package 3 South East Environment Agency 
		
	
	
		
			 Oxford Short Term Measures 2 South East Environment Agency 
			 Lee Structural Repairs, Tottenham South East Environment Agency 
			 Works from River Wey Strategy—Weirs Phase 1 South East Environment Agency 
			 Abingdon Stert FSA South East Environment Agency 
			 Poyle Channel Improvements South East Environment Agency 
			 Cheshunt N Flood Storage Reservoir South East Environment Agency 
			 Watney's Weir Improvements; H&S South East Environment Agency 
			 Cousin Lane Stairs N238 South East Environment Agency 
			 TE2100 Thames Tidal Frontage Programme 1 South East Environment Agency 
			 TE2100 Greenwich, Rainham and La Porte Tidal Walls South East Environment Agency 
			 Works from the Roding Strategy: Resistance and resilience South East Environment Agency 
			 NE Area Access Ramps South East Environment Agency 
			 Haldon Pier, Torquay, Structural Repairs and Rock Armouring South West Torbay Council 
			 Teignmouth Estuary (Back Beach) Flood Alleviation Scheme South West Environment Agency 
			 Princess Pier, Torquay, Structural Repair Works South West Torbay Council 
			 Dawlish Warren and Exmouth Beach Management Scheme South West Teignbridge District Council 
			 Berries Avenue culvert replacement South West Environment Agency 
			 Stoke Canon Culm Flood Alleviation Scheme South West Environment Agency 
			 Steart Managed Realignment South West Environment Agency 
			 Lyme Regis Coast Protection Works Phase IV South West West Dorset District Council 
			 Congresbury Yeo Tidal Banks South West Environment Agency 
			 Chesil Cove Sea Wall Refurbishment Scheme (linked to study) South West Weymouth and Portland Borough Council 
			 Redcar Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
			 Morpeth Flood Alleviation Scheme Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
			 Greatham North Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
			 Realignment of Littlehaven Sea Wall Yorkshire and North East South Tyneside Council 
			 Blyth Sea Defences Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
			 Berwick Breakwater Refurbishment Yorkshire and North East Northumberland County Council 
			 Seaton Carew Northern Management Unit Phase 1 (MA13.1A) and Phase 2 (MA13.1B-E) Yorkshire and North East Hartlepool Borough Council 
			 Walsden Water-Todmorden Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 3 Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
			 Wakefield (Ph 3) Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
			 Northallerton (Sun and Turker Becks) Flood Alleviation Scheme Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
			 Water End Flood Alleviation Scheme, York Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
		
	
	
		
			 Humber: BAE Works to East Clough Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
			 Humber: Donna Nook Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
			 Lendall Pumping Station Replacement Yorkshire and North East Selby Area Internal Drainage Board 
			 Hessle—Western Drain Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
			 Gilberdyke and Blacktoft Flood Management Project Yorkshire and North East Lower Ouse Internal Drainage Board 
			 Hensall Pumping Station Health and Safety Works Yorkshire and North East Knottingley to Gowdall Internal Drainage Board 
			 Eastrington and Laxton Flood Management Project Yorkshire and North East Lower Ouse Internal Drainage Board 
			 Paperhouse Pumping Station Refurbishment Yorkshire and North East Selby Area Internal Drainage Board 
			 Hook and Southfield Supplementary Flood Alleviation Project Yorkshire and North East Goole and Airmyn Internal Drainage Board 
			 Strategic Review of Don Catchment Regulators (South Yorkshire) - £100k 12/13 Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
		
	
	
		
			 Table B: Flood and coastal erosion schemes awaiting business case approval or modelling outputs, or identified as regional priorities 
			 Scheme name Environment Agency Region Risk Management Authority 
			 Nether Heyford Flood Alleviation Scheme Anglian Environment Agency 
			 River Leen and Day Brook, Nottingham, Flood Alleviation Scheme Midlands Environment Agency 
			 River Derwent, Derby, Lower Derwent Flood Alleviation Scheme Midlands Environment Agency 
			 River Cole, Sparkhill, Birmingham, Flood Alleviation Scheme Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Barton-under-Needwood, Barton Brook, Flood Alleviation Scheme Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme North West Blackpool Borough Council 
			 Broomhill Sands Coastal Defence Scheme South East Environment Agency 
			 Shoreham Adur Tidal Walls South East Environment Agency 
			 Lower Thames Flood Alleviation Scheme South East Environment Agency 
			 Parrett Estuary—Cannington Bends South West Environment Agency 
			 Port Clarence and Greatham South Flood Alleviation Scheme Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
			 Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme, River Aire Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
			 Catterick Village Flood Alleviation Scheme Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
			 River Brent Remedials South East Environment Agency 
		
	
	
		
			 Table C: Flood and coastal erosion schemes that will either be deferred, or are no longer needed 
			 Scheme Name Environment Agency Region Risk Management Authority 
			 Boston Haven Works Anglian Environment Agency 
			 Padbury Flood Risk Management Anglian Aylesbury Vale District Council 
			 Newark Brewers Wharf Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Sandyford Brook Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Bottle Brook—Lower Kilburn Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Erewash—Stapleford Midlands Environment Agency 
		
	
	
		
			 Hobnail Culvert replacement Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Shipston on Stour Flood Alleviation Scheme Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Leen Siphon Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Refurbishment of Wooton Wawen Defences Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Rising Brook, Stafford Flood Alleviation Scheme Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Racecourse Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Brandhall Culvert Repair Midlands Environment Agency 
			 Cocker Beck, Lowdham, Flood Alleviation Scheme Midlands Environment Agency 
			 River Tame, Oldbury Arm, Holloway Bank, Wednesbury, Flood Alleviation Scheme Midlands Environment Agency 
			 River Tame, Oldbury Arm, Titford, Oldbury, Flood Alleviation Scheme Midlands Environment Agency 
			 River Leen, Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre Flood Alleviation Scheme Midlands Environment Agency 
			 River Ems Westbourne and Emsworth Improvements South East Environment Agency 
			 Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme South East Environment Agency 
			 Stratford Marsh Package 12 South East Environment Agency 
			 Ching Brook South East Environment Agency 
			 Graveney Channel Fencing and Future Maintain; H&S (closed) South East Environment Agency 
			 Bournemouth Beach Management Phase 1 (10 year) South West Bournemouth Borough Council 
			 Thirsk—Cod Beck—Flood Alleviation Scheme Yorkshire and North East Environment Agency 
		
	
	
		
			 Reclassified as delivering primarily navigation benefits 
			 Scheme Name Environment Agency Region Risk Management Authority 
			 Nene Locks Reversal Public Health and Safety Works Anglian Environment Agency 
		
	
	No schemes have been cancelled as they never had approval for funding. Prioritisation is needed every year, as there are always more schemes applying than funding available. The decision to award Government funding is made based on schemes that offer the greatest outcomes.

Flood Control

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent on flood defences in each English region in each of the last 10 years.

Richard Benyon: The following tables show the total DEFRA grant in aid for managing flood and coastal risk management in England from 2002-03 to 2011-12.
	Over the period 2002-03 to 2005-06 capital grants were administered by DEFRA on a project-by-project basis to the Environment Agency, local authorities and internal drainage boards. Grant rates were applied, with the remaining funding coming from levies raised by the regional flood defence committees, local authorities or internal drainage boards. No central record was kept of the regional breakdown.
	In April 2006 the Environment Agency was delegated responsibility for administering grant to all schemes promoted under the Land Drainage Act. Schemes under the Coast Protection Act continued to receive funding administered by DEFRA until April 2008, when this responsibility passed to the Environment Agency. Funding totals for Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (previously Regional Flood Defence Committees) are available from 2008-09 to 2011-12. The total amount in capital grant to local authorities and internal drainage boards is also given.
	
		
			 Table 1: 2002-03 to 2007-08 
			  Grant in Aid funding (£ million) 
			 2002-03 428 
			 2003-04 458 
			 2004-05 496 
			 2005-06 600 
			 2006-07 497 
			 2007-08 505 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: 2008-09 to 2011-12 
			 £ million 
			 Regional Flood and Coastal Committee 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 
			 Anglian (Central) 18 19 21 15 
			 Anglian (Northern) 37 39 34 24 
			 Anglian (Eastern) 61 42 41 44 
			 Midlands 40 52 55 45 
			 Northumbria 9 10 12 21 
			 Yorkshire 43 55 52 30 
			 North West 41 51 53 37 
			 South West 15 17 19 15 
			 Wessex 28 28 27 19 
			 Southern 53 66 58 41 
			 Thames 76 85 95 71 
			 Local authorities and internal drainage boards 64 64 61 31 
			 Grant in Aid funding (£ million) 559 607 629 521

Floods: Derby

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to ensure adequate flood defences in Derby North constituency.

Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency is working in partnership with Derby city council to develop a sustainable approach to flood risk management in and around Derby. The “Our City, Our River” Master Plan is the first step in achieving this objective, and this covers the area from Darley Abbey Mills in the north, to Derby Junction Railway Bridge in the south. The Master Plan is just one strand of the Environment Agency's Lower Derwent Flood Risk Management Strategy, which covers an area from Milford to the River Trent confluence.
	The strategy identified that to provide sustainable flood risk management through Derby, the defences through the city should be realigned away from the river and the Master Plan presents a preferred realignment route for the flood defences. If approved, funding would be from a mix of Flood Defence grant in aid and partnership funding contributions.

Floods: Insurance

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent progress her Department has made on discussions with the insurance industry on the future of flood insurance; and if she will make it her policy to negotiate a solution in advance of the expiry of the existing Statement of Principles.

Richard Benyon: The existing Statement of Principles is due to expire on 30 June. We are at an advanced stage in intensive negotiations with the insurance industry on alternative arrangements for when the Statement of Principles expires. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs met with insurers to discuss the issues at a recent conference.
	The Government's core focus is to continue to invest in new and improved defences. In the current spending period, the Government are spending over £2.17 billion on flood and coastal erosion risk management, offering better protection to over 145,000 homes.

Food Supply

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whether her Department has undertaken any recent research on developing new food production techniques in the agricultural sector;
	(2)  whether her Department has undertaken recent research on raising crop yields in conjunction with improving sustainability and maintaining ecosystem services.

James Paice: The Government welcomed the Foresight report on the Future of Food and Farming, which explores the pressures on the global food system between now and 2050. We recognise that in order to feed the predicted increase in population in the UK and the world by 2050, we will need to increase food production sustainably in the UK, EU and beyond.
	DEFRA spends £28 million (2011-12 figures) annually on research to encourage sustainable food production; enhance the environment and biodiversity and support a sustainable, secure and healthy food supply. DEFRA also supports a substantial programme of research to improve animal health and welfare within the agricultural sector; approximately £30 million was spent during 2011/12 in support of it.
	DEFRA is contributing £30 million over five years to the £90 million Technology Strategy Board Agriculture and Food Innovation Platform, which is funding collaborative research with industry to stimulate innovation in farming and food production systems.
	DEFRA is providing funding for the current call of the Information and Communication Technology and Robotics ERAnet (ICT-AGRI) to support research and development and innovation projects on sustainable crop and animal production with other EU members.
	From the period 2007 to 2015 DEFRA has supported several research projects addressing increasing crop yields while maintaining sustainability and ecosystem services. Two key projects are: 1. WC1034 ‘FARMLAND’ which is examining interdependences between biodiversity and cropping. 2. DEFRA project IF01116, which is investigating contributory causes of the current yield plateau in wheat and oilseed rape.

Food Supply

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has undertaken on the use of biotechnology in food production.

James Paice: DEFRA is currently funding a number of collaborative R and D projects which involve application and translation of biotechnological research into practice, and uptake by the private sector. These include genetic improvement networks, which underpin UK crop breeding programmes and research to improve crop husbandry.

Food Supply

Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to increase UK food production.

James Paice: The first objective in DEFRA’s business plan is to “support and develop British farming and encourage sustainable food production” and this commitment influences all of the policy work DEFRA undertakes. The plan outlines a number of areas in which we are taking action to promote increased domestic food production.
	DEFRA is working on the “Green Food Project” which is a joint initiative between Government, industry, consumer and environmental organisations, because we recognise that neither increasing food production nor improving the environment are challenges for Government alone.

Food: Donors

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to encourage food manufacturers and retailers to donate their in-date waste to homelessness and food bank organisations.

James Paice: The Government strongly support redistribution of surplus food to charities such as FareShare and FoodCycle and hopes that more firms will choose to donate suitable surplus food rather than send it for disposal. Many do so already, though only a fraction of the available food is currently donated.
	We are considering all barriers to redistribution, including legal concerns. This work will determine the way forward and we will need to work with these charities and food manufacturers to lower any barriers identified.
	The Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my noble Friend, Lord Taylor of Holbeach, also recently wrote to my right hon. and noble Friend, Lord Young of Graffham, to consider how health and safety can be reviewed to help facilitate this.

Food: Sustainable Development

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on sustainable intensification.

James Paice: The Foresight Report on the Future of Food and Farming defines sustainable intensification as:
	“Simultaneously raising yields, while increasing the efficiency with which inputs are used and reducing the negative environmental effects of food production. It requires economic and social changes to recognise the multiple outputs required of land managers, farmers and other food producers, and a redirection of research to address a more complex set of goals than just increasing yield.”
	These ideas are reflected in DEFRA’s business plan, where the Government have committed to increasing growth, productivity and competiveness in the farming sector, combined with improvements to the environment. We have taken this approach forward through the Natural Environment White Paper, where we committed to work jointly with the food and farming industry and environmental and consumer organisations to look at how we might reconcile some of the tensions that arise in trying to achieve all of these objectives. The “Green Food project” that is undertaking this work will report its initial findings in July 2012.

Lost Property

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many items of equipment valued at £10,000 or more her Department lost in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: No such items valued £10,000 or more were reported lost by core DEFRA during 2010-11 and 2011-12.

Departmental Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what target she has set to reduce headcount across her Department, its non-departmental public bodies and Executive agencies in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: No targets have been set for reducing headcount across the Department, its non-departmental public bodies and Executive agencies.

Milk: Prices

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration she has given to introducing (a) a fixed price, (b) a price formula, (c) break clauses and (d) certainty of other basic terms in milk supply contracts.

James Paice: The Government are clear that they cannot influence dairy prices directly as it must be for the market to drive both production and price levels. The EU Dairy Package sets out what contracts must cover if they are made compulsory but does not permit us to introduce any additional regulations.
	I have, therefore, strongly encouraged the industry to develop a robust voluntary code of contractual good practice that could be in place more quickly and would keep the industry in control of how contracts deal with all the issues which are critical to farmers and processors.

Nature Conservation

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which priority species had achieved their Species Action Plan recovery targets in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland by 2010; and which was her Department's lead partner or co-lead partner organisation for each species.

Richard Benyon: The last formal assessment of progress against Species Action Plan recovery targets was in 2008. The results of the 2008 assessment for the UK and each constituent country have been published online through the Biodiversity Action Reporting System. The highlights of the 2008 reporting round are also published on the website of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. In England, 143 species were assessed as meeting their recovery targets. A list of these species, along with the relevant lead statutory or voluntary sector partners has been placed in the House Library.
	Conservation of biodiversity is a devolved matter and so action in other parts of the UK is a matter for the devolved Administrations.
	We published our new biodiversity strategy for England, “Biodiversity 2020”, in August 2011, and have established a working group involving the Government, statutory agencies and civil society groups to develop indicators for species that reflect the new strategy.

Nature Conservation

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what Species Action Plans (SAP) are in operation in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland; which partner organisations are engaged with each SAP; and what her most recent assessment is of the status of each priority species.

Richard Benyon: In respect of England, we published our new biodiversity strategy for the period 2011 to 2020, entitled “Biodiversity 2020”, in August last year.
	The new strategy entails a major shift in emphasis away from having large numbers of individual Species Action Plans towards a much more integrated large-scale approach to biodiversity conservation, exemplified by our Nature Improvement Areas initiative. This approach will meet the conservation needs of many species. The Species Action Plans prepared under the previous strategy therefore have no formal status under the new strategy.
	Our strategy sets out that there will still be a need to take targeted action for the recovery of those priority species whose conservation is not delivered through wider habitat-based measures. To address this, Natural England is working up a new prioritised species recovery programme with our partners.
	The last formal assessment of progress against Species Action Plan recovery targets was in 2008.
	Conservation of biodiversity is a devolved matter and so action in other parts of the UK is a matter for the devolved Administrations.

Nature Conservation

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to paragraph 25 of “Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England's wildlife”, when her Department plans to publish details of its proposed new monitoring and reporting system.

Richard Benyon: The set of indicators to assess delivery of our biodiversity strategy for England 2011 to 2020, “Biodiversity 2020”, was published on 29 May and will be updated annually thereafter.

Nature Conservation

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to support partner organisations achieve the recovery of priority species by 2020.

Richard Benyon: We published our new biodiversity strategy for England, “Biodiversity 2020”, in August last year. This sets out our plans for the period 2011 to 2020.
	The new strategy entails a major shift in emphasis towards a much more integrated large-scale approach to biodiversity conservation, exemplified by our Nature Improvement Areas initiative. We have already announced funding of £7.5 million over a three-year period for 12 Nature Improvement Areas across England. Many priority species will benefit from this approach.
	Our strategy also commits to take targeted action for the recovery of those priority species whose conservation is not delivered through wider habitat-based measures.
	Through Natural England, we have established a new Terrestrial Biodiversity Group to work with partner organisations to drive delivery of the biodiversity strategy's outcomes on the ground.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many quangos her Department has (a) abolished and (b) established since May 2010.

Richard Benyon: While there is no definition of a quango, the Cabinet Office Public Bodies Reform team conducted a review of 904 public bodies in 2010 and concluded that around 200 bodies would be abolished, 120 bodies would be merged into 56 bodies and a further 177 bodies would be retained but substantially reformed.
	In October 2010 it was concluded that the number of DEFRA public bodies would reduce from 92 to 39. Following a public bodies review update announcement on 16 March 2011, it was confirmed that a further three non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) would be abolished. Once all reforms are complete DEFRA will have 36 NDPBs.
	The process is under way and since May 2010 my Department has abolished 12 NDPBs. We have not established any further NDPBs.

Ofwat

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what the largest amount paid to an individual member of staff employed by Ofwat as a bonus was in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011;
	(2)  how many staff employed by Ofwat received bonuses in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011;
	(3)  what the (a) average and (b) total amount paid in bonuses to staff at Ofwat was in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011.

Richard Benyon: Ofwat makes non-consolidated, variable bonus payments to its staff to help drive performance. The annual appraisal process measures performance, helps staff to develop their potential and to make a full contribution towards realising Ofwat's objectives. All Ofwat staff have the opportunity to earn a bonus on an annual basis, although bonuses are only awarded for exceptional performance.
	Number of Ofwat staff who received bonuses in:
	
		
			  Number people 
			 (a) 2010 26 
			 (b) 2011 32 
		
	
	The largest amount paid to an individual member of staff as a bonus in:
	
		
			  £ 
			 (a) 2010 12,500 
			 (b) 2011 12,500 
		
	
	The average amounts paid in bonuses to Ofwat staff in:
	
		
			  £ 
			 (a) 2010 3,170 
			 (b) 2011 2,225 
		
	
	The total amount paid in bonuses to Ofwat staff in:
	
		
			  £ 
			 (a) 2010 82,415 
			 (b) 2011 71,191 
		
	
	These numbers include bonuses paid to senior civil servants.

Palm Oil

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on including sustainable palm oil requirements in Government Buying Standards.

Richard Benyon: The Government recognise the need to encourage sustainable sourcing of palm oil and are considering the case for amendment of the current Government Buying Standards to include a sustainable palm oil sourcing requirement.

Pesticides

Mark Spencer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  on how many occasions the Food and Environment Research Agency's National Bee Unit has found neonicotinoid pesticides to be responsible for bee mortality in its assessments since it was established;
	(2)  how many instances of hive loss due to neonicotinoid pesticides have been recorded by her Department or its agencies in the latest period for which figures are available.

Richard Benyon: Since its establishment, the Food and Environment Research Agency's National Bee Unit has not linked neonicotinoids directly to any case of bee mortality.
	There are no recorded cases of hive loss directly attributable to neonicotinoid pesticides. The National Bee Unit has been investigating the causes of abnormal colony losses in England and Wales since 2007. The results have shown that the most important risk factor in the mortality or weakening of colonies is deformed wing virus, a virus transmitted by the varroa mite, clearly indicating failed or unsuccessful treatments of mite infestations. This investigation included screening a sample for 90 target pesticides, including neonicotinoid pesticides, and no residues were detected. The key results from these investigations have been published on the National Bee Unit's BeeBase website.
	In addition, the Government's Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme looks at reported incidents involving bee deaths. Since routine screening for neonicotinoids started in 2009, 44 bee death incidents have been investigated and in 10 of these neonicotinoid residues were found. The outcome of these investigations was inconclusive and in eight of the 10 cases where residues of neonicotinoids were detected, residues of other pesticides were also found. In eight of the 10 cases involving neonicotinoid pesticides it was not clear that they had any role in the death of the bees. To aid interpretation of such findings in the future a research project is under way testing for pesticide residues in healthy bee colonies.

Pesticides

Mark Spencer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will ensure that any decision on policy on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides will be based solely on technical assessments by relevant Government scientific advisory bodies.

Richard Benyon: Decisions on whether to approve the use of pesticides, and on the conditions attached to any approval, are based on the objective assessment of scientific information. This follows longstanding practice and the requirements of UK and EU law, which allow approval to be withdrawn or amended if new information shows that to be appropriate.
	This is the approach being taken for neonicotinoid pesticides. In the UK the latest evidence is being examined by the Chemicals Regulation Directorate of the Health and Safety Executive, DEFRA’s Food and Environment Research Agency and the independent scientific Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The work is being overseen by DEFRA’s chief scientific adviser. The EU authorities are also looking at the evidence and this is being taken forward by the European Food Safety Authority.

Plants: Disease Control

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the likely cost of (a) control and (b) prevention of invasive non-native plant species in each of the next three years.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA does not collate information on the cost of control of invasive non-native plants. However, research commissioned jointly by the GB Administrations reported in 2010 that invasive non-native species cost the GB economy in excess of £1.7 billion per annum. The types of impact costs taken into account are detailed in the report and include, where possible, control costs. The report is available on the website of the GB Non-native Species Secretariat at:
	www.nonnativespecies.org
	Measures to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive non-native plant species take many forms and involve the actions of Government, their agencies, external stakeholders, and through our partnership awareness campaigns, also the general public. The total expenditure or value of this effort cannot therefore be comprehensively costed.

Procurement

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of payments made by her Department to small and medium-sized enterprises have been paid late since May 2010.

Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA's Financial Reporting systems are not able to identify small and medium-sized enterprises separately but overall, since May 2010, 1,275 (3.41%) out of a total of 37,348 supplier invoices received have been paid late. A late payment is classified as those not paid within the Government's target for undisputed invoices. For 2010 the target was 10 working days, and since 2011 the target reduced to five working days.

Procurement

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of her Department's expenditure on procurement has gone to small and medium-sized enterprises since May 2010.

Richard Benyon: The expenditure of core DEFRA and its arm’s length bodies with small and medium-sized enterprises has been reported in the Cabinet Office report, “Making Government business more accessible to SMEs—One Year On”:
	www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/making-govemment-business-more-accessible-smes-one-year

Procurement

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when her Department next expects to undertake a spend recovery audit to identify overpayments to suppliers caused by fraud or error.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA Internal Audit does not expect to undertake a spend recovery audit to identify overpayments to suppliers caused by fraud or error. Internal Audit's programme of work for the current year includes an audit of procurement processes and procedures, which will include an assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the internal controls designed to prevent error and fraud.

Publications

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) circulars and (b) consultation documents were issued by her Department in each of the last two years.

Richard Benyon: The Department does not currently publish information under the title of “circulars”. For 2010-11 and 2011-12, DEFRA has published 49 and 52 consultation documents respectively.

Redundancy

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many of her Department's employees have been made redundant in the last two years.

Richard Benyon: The Department has to make cost savings to live within budgetary control totals over the course of the spending review, and reducing staffing levels is only one element of achieving this. Consistent with the Government's focus on reducing back office costs, DEFRA's approach has been first to identify savings from non-staff areas (such as estates), before then considering the need for staff reductions. Core DEFRA has released some 300 people, either on voluntary exit or on voluntary redundancy in the last two years, following redesign work to show where reductions were needed. There were two compulsory redundancies in core DEFRA in the last two financial years (2010-11 and 2011-12).

River Severn

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment her Department has made of the effect on wildlife habitats of the Severn barrage;
	(2)  if she will discuss with Natural England the effects on wildlife habitats of the Severn barrage;
	(3)  if she will hold discussions with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on the construction of the Severn barrage.

Richard Benyon: A comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of a barrage on the nature conservation interests of the protected areas in the Severn Estuary was undertaken as part of the Government's Severn Tidal Feasibility Study, which was published in October 2010. Consultation with the Environment Agency, Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales and RSPB informed this exercise. A link to the summary report of the study can be found on the Department of Energy and Climate Change's website.
	Any future independent proposal to construct a Severn barrage would almost certainly involve an environmental impact assessment and an appropriate assessment under the EU Habitats Directive. Natural England would be consulted in both these processes. Any such proposal would also be likely to involve consultation with third parties, probably via a public inquiry. Responsibility for determining any application and assessing environmental impacts would rest with the relevant competent authority(ies) and the appropriate Secretary of State, which is most likely to be the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey).

Rural Areas: Broadband

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Rural Community Broadband Fund in providing communities with broadband in the 10% hardest to reach areas in England.

Richard Benyon: It is too early to assess the effectiveness of the Rural Community Broadband Fund, which was launched at the end of November. We will be commissioning an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of the fund over the summer with an initial report expected in the first half of next year.
	A positive response was received to Round One which closed on 31 January—of the 39 expressions of interest received, 16 have been endorsed with conditions and have been invited to develop full applications.

Rural Areas: Broadband

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential effects on rural businesses of a lack of broadband access.

Richard Benyon: There is growing evidence that broadband connectivity and higher broadband speeds improve economic growth and productivity. We recognise that lack of broadband availability hampers the potential of rural businesses and that is why the Government are investing £530 million to bring superfast broadband to at least 90% of premises and standard broadband (a minimum of 2Mbps) to the remaining premises by 2015.

Sausages: Lincolnshire

Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has any plans to provide support to Lincolnshire producers of Lincolnshire sausages.

James Paice: The Government want to encourage more applications under the EU's Protected Food Name scheme. However, in order to be registered under the scheme applications must meet the required criteria for registration.
	Our recent decision to reject the application from the Lincolnshire Sausage Association (LSA) to protect the name, “Lincolnshire Sausage” under the EU Protected Food Name scheme was made after careful consideration of all the evidence provided by the applicants and the objecting parties. The reasons for that decision were set out in some detail in the letter we sent to the LSA on 16 May. A copy of that letter can be found at the following link:
	http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/industry/regional/foodname/products/documents/linconshire-sausage-letter20120516.pdf
	That letter also makes provision for an appeal to be made to the decision. Any reconsideration of our decision would be dependent on new arguments and information being put forward. At the request of the LSA, we have agreed to extend the deadline for the submission of appeals from 31 May 2012 to 15 June 2012.
	We remain open to looking at other options which would allow producers in Lincolnshire to highlight the traditional and local nature of their sausages.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest: East Midlands

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many sites of special scientific interest there are in the East Midlands.

Richard Benyon: There are 398 sites of special scientific interest in the East Midlands region covering a total area of 106,163 hectares.

Telephone Services

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many call centres provide services for her Department and the bodies for which she is responsible; and how many such call centres are based abroad.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA and its arm’s-length bodies provide the following helplines, none of which is based abroad.
	Core DEFRA
	The General DEFRA Helpline provides a single point of contact for all general queries from the public.
	The DEFRA Farming Advice Service provides advice on cross compliance, nutrient management, climate change mitigation and adaptation and competitiveness.
	Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency
	The PETS Helpline provides advice and guidance on pet passports and travelling with pets.
	The TSE Helpline provides general and technical advice to the disposal industry and farmers relating to BSE and scrapie testing requirements.
	Rural Payments Agency
	The Rural Payments Agency Helpline provides information and guidance on the rules, regulations and requirements in respect of the Rural Land Register, Customer Registration and the Single Payment scheme (SPS).
	The British Cattle Movement Service Helpline provides information and guidance on the rules, regulations and requirements in respect of cattle passports and the reporting of birth, death and movement of cattle to cattle keepers of Great Britain.
	The Environment Agency
	The Environment Agency Floodline provides information on flood warnings and advice on what to do before, during and after flooding in England, Wales and Scotland.
	The Environment Agency's National Customer Contact Centre (NCCC) has three helplines: General Enquiries, Hazardous Waste and Agricultural Waste.

Thames Estuary Airport

Mark Reckless: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she or her officials have had with the Department for Transport on the potential environmental effects of building an airport in the Thames estuary.

Richard Benyon: Neither DEFRA Ministers nor officials have had discussions with Department for Transport counterparts on the potential environmental effects of building an airport in the Thames estuary. In common with any other proposal for major infrastructure development, any formal proposal for a new airport in the Thames estuary would need to be accompanied by an assessment of the environmental impacts. This would help inform the final decision in the event that approval was sought for such a scheme.

Trade Unions

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many trade union representatives in (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies had (i) part-time; and (ii) full-time paid facility time arrangements in 2011-12;
	(2)  how many days were utilised for paid facility time by each trade union representative in (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies in 2011-12; and at what cost to the public purse;
	(3)  how many days were utilised for paid facility time by each trade union representative in (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies for trade union (i) duties and (ii) activities in 2011-12;
	(4)  if she will place in the Library copies of the facility time agreements between trade unions and (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies;
	(5)  how many trade union representatives in (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-department public bodies have faced disciplinary action for abusing paid facility time or public resources in each of the last five years;
	(6)  how many meetings have taken place between (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies and trade union representatives utilising paid facility time in each of the last five years to discuss (i) collective bargaining, (ii) redundancies, (iii) negotiations relating to employment, pay and conditions and (iv) other trade union and industrial relations duties; and what the dates and times were of each meeting;
	(7)  on how many occasions trade union representatives from (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies have utilised paid facility time to represent an employee at a meeting or other industrial relations matter in each of the last five years.

Richard Benyon: Facility time was under review in core DEFRA as part of an industrial relations review, and the number of full-time equivalent posts on facility time was reduced from 13.7 in 2010-11 to 12.25 in 2011-12. It had been intended that further reductions would follow in subsequent years in both core DEFRA and the Agencies, particularly AHVLA and RPA. However, the Government announced their intention in October 2011 to consult centrally with the civil service trade unions with regard to the current facility time practices in the civil service. This central consultation will commence shortly.
	At present the numbers of trade union representatives in (a) the Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies that had (i) part-time; and (ii) full-time paid facility time arrangements in 2011-12 are as follows:
	
		
			 Organisation Part-Time Full-Time 
			 Core DEFRA(1) 10 6 
			 AHVLA 52 3 
			 FERA 25 0 
			 RPA 33 3 
			 CEFAS 0 0 
			 VMD 0 0 
			 (1) This includes trade unions representatives who have responsibilities across the Department, not just within core DEFRA. 
		
	
	
		
			 NDPBs Part-Time Full-Time 
			 Agricultural, Horticultural Development Board 2 0 
			 Consumer Council for Water 0 0 
			 Environment Agency 19 2 
			 Gangmasters Licensing Authority 1 0 
			 Joint Nature Conservation Committee 9 0 
			 Kew 0 0 
			 National Forest Company 0 0 
			 Natural England 20 3 
			 Marine Management Organisation 15 0 
			 Seafish 2 0 
		
	
	The numbers of days utilised for paid facility time by each trade union representative in (a) the Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies in 2011-12, and the cost to the public purse, are as follows.
	The information requested is set out as follows:
	
		
			 Organisation Days Total costs (£) 
			 DEFRA(1) 2,634 468,034 
			 AHVLA 2,087 346,679 
			 FERA 254 84,500 
			 RPA 1,459 156,925 
			 CEFAS 0 0 
			 VMD 0 0 
			 (1) This includes trade unions representatives who have responsibilities across the Department, not just within core DEFRA. 
		
	
	
		
			 NDPB Days Total costs (£) 
			 Agricultural, Horticultural Development Board 3 (1)456 
			 Consumer Council for Water 0 0 
			 Environment Agency 1547 152,112 
			 Gangmasters Licensing Authority 52 5,637 
			 Joint Nature Conservation Committee 119 17,983 
			 Kew 0 0 
			 National Forest Company 0 0 
			 Natural England 980 103,560 
			 Marine Management Organisation 322 42,593 
			 Seafish 6 1,877 
			 (1) AHDB is a levy funded body, and as such there is no cost to the public purse from this activity. 
		
	
	We are unable to provide this information on how many days were utilised for paid facility time by each trade union representative in the Department and each of its non-departmental public bodies for trade union (i) duties and (ii) activities in 2011-12 without incurring a disproportionate cost. DEFRA (including Agencies and NDPBs) does not keep separate electronic records of how the facility time afforded to trade union representatives is used for duties or activities.
	The Department intends to place a copy of DEFRA's current facilities agreement in the House of Commons Library. We will also arrange for facility times agreements negotiated by any of the Department's NDPBs to be published.
	No trade union representative has faced disciplinary action in DEFRA or its Agencies for misusing paid facility time or public resources in any of the last five years. Disciplinary action was taken in one case in an NDBP.
	The information on numbers, dates and times of meetings that have taken place between (a) the Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies and trade union representatives utilising paid facility time in each of the last five years to discuss (i) collective bargaining, (ii) redundancies, (iii) negotiations relating to employment, pay and conditions and (iv) other trade union and industrial relations duties; and what the dates and times were of each meeting is not readily available and can be provided only at a disproportionate cost. There are numerous national and local meetings with the unions, covering a wide range of issues affecting staff including the topics noted in the question. It is not departmental policy to record centrally or locally the dates and times of all these meetings.
	The Department (including the Agencies and NDBPs) also does not keep central records of when trade union officials have used paid facility time to represent an employee at a meeting, nor other industrial relations matter, in each of the last five years. We are therefore unable to provide this information without incurring a disproportionate cost.

Trees: Disease Control

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has to increase biosecurity measures to protect trees from the importation of non-native tree pests and diseases.

James Paice: DEFRA and the Forestry Commission launched the Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Action plan on 18 October 2011, which set out an integrated approach to dealing with the increasing biosecurity threats to Britain’s trees and forests. The action plan details steps to be taken now and in the future regarding import controls, practical actions, communications and engagement, and research. One theme of the action plan is to minimise the risk of new threats to trees from entering the UK, including through improvements in the EU plant health import rules and gathering evidence for a consultation on the current concession that allows imports of some plant material in passengers’ baggage.
	The action plan was developed by DEFRA and the Forestry Commission, with vital help from a wide range of stakeholders from across the forestry and research sectors, including the devolved Administrations, which participated in a series of workshops to identify priorities and areas for action.
	The Forestry Commission has also proposed to implement a UK protected zone for oak processionary moth (OPM) with a general requirement to prevent the introduction of the pest into parts of the UK where it is not present. The European Commission has responded positively to this proposal and we have provided the Commission with the exact delimitations of the protected zone. For the protected zone to be implemented, OPM must first be listed as a “harmful organism” under the EU directive. This process is ongoing.

UN Conference on Sustainable Development

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking in support of the proposal in the EU's Zero Draft Submission to the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development for the establishment of an ombudsperson for future generations; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman) is working closely with her EU colleagues to determine what the EU's response should be to the proposal for an ombudsperson for future generations.

Water Abstraction

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent progress she has made on her proposals to withdraw abstraction licences without paying compensation.

Richard Benyon: In the immediate future, compensation will still be paid when abstraction licences are modified except in cases where serious damage is caused to the environment. In the longer term, the Water White Paper set out the UK Government's intention not to compensate for any losses due to the transition from the current abstraction regime to a new regime. The treatment of compensation within a new regime will be the subject of consultation.
	From 15 July 2012, section 27 of the Water Act 2003 provides for the right to compensation to be withdrawn in certain circumstances when abstraction licences are revoked or varied. DEFRA and the Welsh Government consulted recently on the principles to be used in determining whether the revocation or variation of a licence was required to protect the environment from serious damage. The consultation closed on 3 May 2012 and the responses are now being analysed.

Water: Norfolk

George Freeman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate she has made of the likely growth in (a) water demand, (b) water supply and (c) reservoir capacity in Norfolk in the next (i) 10, (ii) 20 and (iii) 30 years; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency recently assessed current and future demands and water availability as evidence for the case for change in DEFRA's White Paper—“Water for Life”. The assessment was conducted at a local level across England and Wales, including Norfolk, to the 2050s. The assessment considered four different demand projections and four different water supply projections. It concluded that water resources will become more stressed in future as a result of climate change, increasing population and changes in lifestyle. Careful planning will be critical to ensure sustainable water supplies for people, businesses, agriculture and the environment. The results are summarised as follows:
	Demand and water availability projections:
	Four 2050 demand projections for Norfolk, based on assumed changes in population and changes in water consumption:
	10% less demand than today
	5% more demand than today
	20% more demand than today
	55% more demand than today
	Four 2050 water supply projections for Norfolk, based on assumed impacts of climate change:
	Up to a 5% increase in summer water availability than today
	Up to a 15% reduction in summer water availability than today
	Up to a 25% reduction in summer water availability than today
	Up to a 50% reduction in summer water availability than today
	Potential unmet demand in the 2050s (demand as a percentage of water supply):
	Ranges for Norfolk across the scenario combinations from a surplus of water in the coastal catchment of north-west Norfolk (50% of available water needed to meet demands) to the Cam and Ely Ouse catchment projecting a shortfall (over 200% of available water needed to meet demands).
	Scale of water that may need to be saved (e.g. water efficiency) or developed (e.g. increase reservoir capacity, or better sharing of resources) to manage sustainable supplies across East Anglia in the 2050s:
	The study concluded that water demand management will have an important role to play in improving water availability in the 2050s, but climate change could mean that significant new resources will be necessary. In East Anglia, 35% of a future water resource shortfall could be met by resource improvements, while the remaining shortfall could be reduced by demand management measures such as leakage control and more efficient use by customers.
	The full details can be found in the case for change report.
	Water companies are required to prepare Water Resources Management Plans that assess their customers’ future demands for water and water availability, including reservoir capacity. These plans are produced every five years and look 25 years ahead. Anglian Water's plan covers Norfolk. The current plan shows how the company will manage supply and demand and it will consult on a revised plan in spring 2013. Anglian Water is not planning to build any new reservoirs, or significant expansion to existing reservoirs, with the exception of a small expansion to Ardleigh reservoir.

JUSTICE

Child Abuse

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average disposal was for convictions for offences under section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 in each of the last 10 years.

Crispin Blunt: The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts, found guilty and sentenced at all courts under section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, in England and Wales, from 2001-11, can be viewed in the following table.
	
		
			 Defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, found guilty and sentenced at all courts for ‘cruelty to and neglect of children’(1), England and Wales, 2001-11(2, 3) 
			 Outcome 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008(4) 2009 2010 2011 
			 Proceeded against 662 787 955 921 836 785 777 889 1,063 1,051 914 
			 Found guilty 414 444 494 540 482 488 493 586 720 710 678 
			 Sentenced(5) 415 442 489 543 476 479 476 581 714 702 669 
			 Immediate custody 120 130 128 139 104 108 93 133 158 149 155 
			 Suspended sentence 16 22 17 24 49 81 136 180 228 223 208 
			 Community sentence 232 242 273 301 260 226 192 232 282 283 272 
			 Fine 6 2 7 10 8 5 7 3 2 3 2 
			 Other sentence(6) 41 46 64 69 55 59 48 33 44 44 32 
			 (1) An offence under S.1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. (2) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (4) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. (5) The number of offenders sentenced can differ from those found guilty as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty in a particular year, and committed for sentence at the Crown court, may be sentenced in the following year. (6) Other sentences include: absolute and conditional discharge and otherwise dealt with Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services: Ministry of Justice.

Civil Proceedings: Legal Costs

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress he has made on 
	(1)  the design and implementation of qualified one-way costs shifting; when he expects the draft rules to be published; whether he plans to consult on draft rules; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  on the design and implementation of reform to part 36 of the Civil Procedure Rules; when he expects draft rules to be published; whether he plans to consult on the draft rules; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  on the implementation of the planned increase in general damages for personal injury claims; what discussions he has had with the judiciary on this issue; whether the uplift will be reflected in the next edition of the Guidelines for General Damages Personal Injury; when he expects the next edition will be published; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: I refer the hon. Member to the written statement issued on 24 May 2012, Official Report, column 94WS, regarding the implementation of Part 2 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
	As set out, the Government have asked the Civil Justice Council for further advice in relation to the implementation of qualified one-way costs shifting (QOCS) by the end of June 2012. Updates are provided on the judiciary website at
	http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/review-of-civil-litigation-costs
	On the 10% increase in general damages, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 February 2012, Official Report, column 446W.
	The Ministry of Justice will continue to engage with key stakeholders and the senior judiciary and will announce further details on implementation by the summer recess.

Claims Management Services

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy and effectiveness of regulation of the claims management industry.

Jonathan Djanogly: An internal review of the Claims Management Regulation Unit in MOJ conducted in 2011 fully considered the current arrangements and options for the future of regulation. The review concluded that forthcoming changes to the claims market, such as the banning of referral fees for personal injury claims, meant that no fundamental changes should be made at this stage.
	In addition, the Post-Legislative Assessment of the Compensation Act 2006, published in January 2012 provided evidence that the regulatory framework introduced by the 2006 Act is not only necessary but has achieved the legislative intention. A copy of the Assessment (Command Paper 8267) is available in the House Library.

Complaints

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many complaints about the work of his Department and each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies were received in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Kenneth Clarke: The information is as follows:
	HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS)
	HMCTS was created on 1 April 2011 and separate legacy complaints handling continued until September 2011. A unified administrative complaints procedure for HMCTS was launched in October 2011. The following figures (complaints from the public) reflect this position;
	
		
			  Number 
			 Legacy Her Majesty's Courts Service (April 2010-March 2011) 18,744 
			 Legacy Tribunals Service (April 2010-March 2011) 2,709 
			 Legacy HMCS (April 2011-September 2011) 8,512 
			 Legacy Tribunals Service (April 2011-September 2011) 1,257 
			 HMCTS (October 2011-March 2012) 7,687 
		
	
	National Offender Management Service (NOMS)
	The number of complaints received from prisoners was as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
			 2010-11 244,830 
			 2011-12 234,772 
		
	
	For the period concerned there were three stages to the internal prisoner complaints process. Each stage of the process was counted separately and is included in the figures above.
	The number of eligible complaints (investigations started) the prison and probation ombudsman received was as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
			 2010-11  
			 Prison 2,416 
			 Probation 70 
			   
			 2011-12  
			 Prison 2,560 
			 Probation 58 
		
	
	The PPO complaints process can only be accessed once the internal prisoner complaints system has been exhausted.
	The number of parliamentary and health service ombudsman cases NOMS received was as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
			 2010-11 5 
			 2011-12 5 
		
	
	Probation trusts have their own local complaints processes.
	Office of the Public Guardian (OPG)
	The number of complaints received from the public was as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
			 2010-11 9,227 
			 2011-12 14,980 
		
	
	Legal Services Commission
	
		
			  Number 
			 2010-11 (1)2,128 
			 2011-12 (1)3,003 
			 (1) First Tier complaints only. 
		
	
	Other non-departmental public bodies
	
		
			  Number 
			 2010-11 392 
			 2011-12 639

Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many letters to Ministers in his Department were (a) not answered, (b) not answered within six months and (c) not answered within three months in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how many such letters were from hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice does not hold this information in the form requested. The Cabinet Office reports annually to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members’ correspondence. The report for 2011 was published on 15 March 2012, Official Report, columns 30-33WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House.

Crimes of Violence

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what information his Department holds on the information collected by HM Courts and Tribunals Service on the number of cases in which violence was a factor and where either the prosecution or defence has mentioned the viewing of violent videos or films by the defendant; and if he will publish any such information.

Jonathan Djanogly: Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service does not collect information on whether the prosecution or defence mentioned the viewing of violent films or videos by defendants in criminal cases. Such information may be held on individual case files but the only way we could verify this would be to manually inspect every magistrates court and Crown court which would incur disproportionate costs.

Criminal Injuries Compensation

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will assess the effect of the funding changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme on litigants based in or visiting Scotland.

Crispin Blunt: The Government's proposals for reform contained in the consultation document “Getting it right for victims and witnesses” would, if implemented, apply to eligible applicants in England, Wales and Scotland. The geographical location of the incident giving rise to the claim would not affect the outcome of the application.
	The consultation closed on 22 April 2012. We are considering the responses received and will publish the Government response shortly.
	The Justice Secretary has consulted the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice regarding the consultation proposals.

Criminal Injuries Compensation

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will assess the effect of the changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme on access to legal services for asylum seekers in Scotland.

Crispin Blunt: The proposed changes to the scheme would not affect access to legal services for asylum seekers. Our proposals would, however, affect whether or not an asylum seeker is eligible to receive compensation.
	Applicants to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme do not need legal representation to apply. They can apply by telephone, and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority's helpline staff will take them through the whole application process. For face-to-face guidance the authority recommends that applicants contact their local Victim Support office.

Criminal Proceedings: EU Law

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether the UK has implemented EU Council Framework Decision 2008/675/JHA.

Kenneth Clarke: The EU Council Framework Decision 2008/675/JHA of 24 July 2008 on taking account of convictions in the member states of the European Union in the course of new criminal proceedings has been implemented. The Decision was implemented in England and Wales by the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.

Custodial Treatment: Wales

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) men and (b) women were sentenced to an immediate custodial sentence of less than six months for each type of offence by courts in North Wales in 2011.

Crispin Blunt: Persons sentenced to immediate custody at all courts by sex, offence type and length of sentence, for those cases commencing in the North Wales police force area in 2011, can be viewed in the following table:
	
		
			 Persons sentenced to immediate custody at all courts by sex, offence type and sentence length, for those cases commencing in the North Wales police force area, 2011(1, 2) 
			 Number 
			 Offence type and sentence length Male Female Persons(3) 
			 Violence against the person    
			 Less than 6 months 51 1 52 
			 Over 6 months 141 12 153 
			 Sub-total immediate custody 192 13 205 
			     
			 Sexual offences    
			 Less than 6 months 4 — 4 
			 Over 6 months 33 — 33 
			 Sub-total immediate custody 37 — 37 
			     
			 Burglary    
			 Less than 6 months 50 — 50 
			 Over 6 months 99 3 102 
			 Sub-total immediate custody 149 3 152 
			     
			 Robbery    
			 Less than 6 months — — — 
			 Over 6 months 37 1 38 
			 Sub-total immediate custody 37 1 38 
			     
			 Theft and handling stolen goods    
			 Less than 6 months 190 13 204 
			 Over 6 months 36 — 36 
			 Sub-total immediate custody 226 13 240 
			     
			 Fraud and forgery    
			 Less than 6 months 19 1 21 
			 Over 6 months 32 8 40 
			 Sub-total immediate custody 51 9 61 
			     
			 Criminal damage    
			 Less than 6 months 12 1 13 
		
	
	
		
			 Over 6 months 14 1 15 
			 Sub-total immediate custody 26 2 28 
			     
			 Drug offences    
			 Less than 6 months 19 — 19 
			 Over 6 months 94 5 99 
			 Sub-total immediate custody 113 5 118 
			     
			 Other indictable offences    
			 Less than 6 months 68 8 76 
			 Over 6 months 53 8 61 
			 Sub-total immediate custody 121 16 137 
			     
			 Indictable motoring offences    
			 Less than 6 months 1 — 1 
			 Over 6 months 15 1 16 
			 Sub-total immediate custody 16 1 17 
			     
			 Summary offences (excluding motoring)    
			 Less than 6 months 208 9 218 
			 Over 6 months 6 — 6 
			 Sub-total immediate custody 214 9 224 
			     
			 Summary motoring offences    
			 Less than 6 months 25 1 26 
			 Over 6 months — — — 
			 Sub-total immediate custody 25 1 26 
			     
			 Total less than 6 months 647 34 684 
			 Total over 6 months 560 39 599 
			 Total immediate custody 1,207 73 1,283 
			 (1) The figures given relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) The gender of a defendant proceeded against may not have been reported. These data have been included in the persons only totals. Therefore, males and females age group totals and sub-totals may not agree with the totals given under persons. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Domestic Violence

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many men commenced the domestic abuse programme as part of a community order administered by the Probation Service in England and Wales in each year since 2005;
	(2)  how many men completed the domestic abuse programme as part of a community order administered by the Probation Service in England and Wales in each year since 2005;
	(3)  whether any probation trust area in England and Wales has introduced a non-accredited domestic abuse programme since 1 January 2012; where such areas are; and what the programmes were.

Crispin Blunt: Details of the number of starts and completions for the domestic abuse programme since 2005 are set out as follows. Please note that the figures for starts will slightly under-represent the true total, since historical data for each year for Manchester and Cheshire Probation Trusts are not held.
	
		
			  Starts Completions 
			 2005-06 2059 784 
			 2006-07 3190 1825 
			 2007-08 3954 2560 
			 2008-09 4526 2927 
			 2009-10 4749 3190 
			 2010-11 4886 3841 
		
	
	As far as we are aware, no new non-accredited domestic violence programmes have been implemented in England and Wales since 1 January 2012.

Domestic Violence

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many men were reconvicted of domestic violence-related offences on (a) one, (b) two, (c) three and (d) four or more occasions in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: The Ministry of Justice does not centrally hold information regarding domestic violence offences.

Driving Offences: Insurance

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what percentage of uninsured drivers prosecuted in (a) 1997, (b) 2002 and (c) 2011 were convicted.

Crispin Blunt: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, the number found guilty at all courts and the conviction ratio for the offence of using a motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks in England and Wales during 1997, 2002 and 2011 can be viewed in the following table.
	
		
			 Defendants(1) proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts in England and Wales for the offence of using a motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks(2) in 1997, 2002 and 2011(3) 
			  1997 2002 2011 
			 Proceeded against 236,733 242,275 109,349 
			 Found guilty 162,559 179,237 94,438 
			     
		
	
	
		
			 Conviction ratio (percentage)(4) 68.7 74.0 86.4 
			 (1) The figures given relate to defendants for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Using a motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks includes the following offences under section 143(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988: Using a motor vehicle without insurance, aiding/abetting use of vehicle without insurance, causing use of vehicle without insurance and permitting the use of vehicle without insurance. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (4) Offenders convicted as a percentage of defendants proceeded against. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services within the Ministry of Justice.

Employment Tribunals Service

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer of 29 February 2012, Official Report, columns 368-9W, on Employment Tribunals Service, how many of the unpaid employment tribunal awards and ACAS settlements passed to the High Court Enforcement officers in financial year 2011-12 (a) have been fully enforced, (b) have been partially enforced (paid in part), (c) were enforced with payments in instalments, (d) are ongoing and (e) were unenforceable.

Jonathan Djanogly: The information is as follows:
	In financial year (FY) 2011-12, 1,438 unpaid employment tribunal and 185 ACAS settlements were passed to High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs).
	Of these cases, 515 have been fully enforced, of which 97 were paid in instalments; 30 were paid in part; 553 cases remain ongoing and 507 were unenforceable. 18 cases are the subject of continuing investigation with HCEOs.
	Of the 507 cases individual reasons for non enforcement are set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Category Cases 
			 Unable to make contact with debtor 173 
			 Debtor insolvent 171 
			 Enforcement stopped by order of court 21 
			 Enforcement stopped by creditor 130 
			 General—Other reasons 12

Fraud

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the level of (a) procurement and (b) other fraud affecting his Department's spending in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Kenneth Clarke: The Ministry of Justice do not make an estimate of the level of (a) procurement and (b) other fraud affecting Departmental spend.
	The Ministry of Justice report on detected fraud and error in the Quarterly Data Summary. The Cabinet Office will be providing guidance on how Departments should quantify fraud and error that was previously unknown.

Human Trafficking: North West

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many convictions for human trafficking there have been in (a) the North West, (b) Lancashire and (c) Pendle in each of the last three years.

Crispin Blunt: The number of defendants found guilty at all courts for offences of human trafficking, by police force area in the North West, from 2008 to 2011 can be viewed in the table.
	Court proceedings data are not available at parliamentary constituency level.
	
		
			 Number of defendants found guilty at all courts for offences of human trafficking in the North West police force areas, 2009 to 2011(1,2) 
			 Police force area 2009 2010 2011 
			 Cheshire — — — 
			 Cumbria — — — 
			 Greater Manchester 7 — 1 
			 Lancashire — — — 
			 Merseyside — — — 
			 Total North West 7 — 1 
			 (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Isle of Man

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to assist closer co-operation with the Government of the Isle of Man; and if he will make a statement.

Kenneth Clarke: The Ministry of Justice provides the main channel of communication between the Isle of Man and HM Government. In doing so it works closely with the Isle of Man Government and acts on their behalf by liaising with other UK Government Departments on a wide range of issues, including those of mutual interest and benefit including, though not exclusively, fisheries, immigration and crime.
	My Department is actively encouraging officials from across UK Government to engage directly with their Isle of Man counterparts in the interests of fostering a greater understanding of the UK’s relationship with the island across UK Government; and with the aim of building closer working relationships with the Isle of Man authorities that will be of benefit to the UK and Isle of Man.

Judges

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer of 1 May 2012, Official Report, column 1464W, on Crown court, if he will place in the Library figures for each judge in each court.

Crispin Blunt: The Crown court IT system does not enable the Ministry of Justice to produce readily the data requested to a quality acceptable for publication. As well as concerns about data quality, there is a lack of sufficient contextual information to explain sentencing decisions in each individual case. The data would therefore be without value.

Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what the timetable is for the implementation of secondary legislation in respect of Part 2 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012;
	(2)  what the timetable is for the Civil Procedure Rule Committee's consideration of the rules to be implemented in respect of Part 2 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012;
	(3)  what consultation he expects to undertake in respect of Part 2 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012; and what the timetable is for any such consultation.

Jonathan Djanogly: I refer the hon. Member to the written statement issued on 24 May 2012, Official Report, column 94WS, regarding the implementation of Part 2 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
	The provisions in Part 2 relating to civil litigation funding and costs will come into force in April 2013, with the exceptions of mesothelioma claims and insolvency proceedings.
	Changes to the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) will be considered by the CPR Committee in the autumn, in order for the necessary changes to come into effect for April 2013.
	The Ministry of Justice will continue to engage with key stakeholders as necessary and will announce further details by the summer recess.

Legal Systems: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he has had recent discussions with the Welsh Government on the introduction of a separate legal jurisdiction for Wales.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke), has not discussed the introduction of a separate legal jurisdiction for Wales with the Welsh Government.

Magistrates Courts: West Yorkshire

Simon Reevell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many cases were commenced in the magistrates courts in the West Yorkshire police area in (a) 2001 and (b) 2011.

Crispin Blunt: The number of proceedings for criminal offences in the magistrates courts in the West Yorkshire police force area in 2001 was 98,117. The figure for 2011 was 63,555.

Departmental Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the number of full-time equivalent staff who will transfer from his Department, its non-departmental public bodies and Executive agencies work force to a mutual in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: There have been no staff transfers from the Ministry of Justice, its non-departmental public bodies and Executive agencies to a mutual organisation for the period 2011-12. There are no plans to transfer staff to a mutual organisation in 2012-13.
	However, the Ministry of Justice is actively exploring opportunities to encourage public service mutuals across its services. In our recent consultation, “Punishment and reform: effective probation services”, we set out our intention to support new models for delivering probation services, such as joint ventures, social enterprises and public service mutuals, and are consulting on how we can best support staff in this process.

Departmental Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what target he has set to reduce headcount across his Department, its non-departmental public bodies and Executive agencies in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

Kenneth Clarke: No headcount reduction targets have been set for my Department.
	Estimates suggest that the Ministry will lose around 14,000 to 15,000 posts by the end of the spending review, including a significant reduction in its headquarters and administrative areas. Headcount reduction will be through natural turnover and voluntary redundancy, avoiding compulsory redundancy where possible.

Departmental Administration

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was spent on the administration of his Department in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12.

Kenneth Clarke: Administration costs, excluding staff and judicial costs and operating income, in 2009-10 and 2010-11 for the core Department and its three Executive agencies (Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service, National Offender Management Service and the Office of the Public Guardian) is given as follows:
	
		
			 Administration costs 
			  Amount (£million) 
			 2010-11 164.1 
			 2009-10 179.2 
		
	
	Detailed information on expenditure appears in the Department's annual report and accounts which are published on our website. Please refer to page 99 of the report by using the following link;
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/corporate-reports/moj/2011/annual-report-accounts-2010-11
	The Department's resource accounts for 2011-12 are currently being audited. Information on the cost of administration for 2011-12 will be available upon publication.

Personal Injury: Compensation

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what the timetable is for the consultation on including personal injury cases up to £5,000 within the small claims court;
	(2)  for what reasons he has decided to extend the small claims limit for personal injury claims;
	(3)  whether his Department is considering including personal injury cases up to £5,000 within the small claims court;
	(4)  what plans he has to consult on his proposed increase in the small claims limit for personal injury claims to £5,000;
	(5)  whether he proposes to apply the increase to the small claims limit for personal injury claims to £5,000 to all types of personal injury claims;
	(6)  what additional resources he plans to make available to the Courts and Tribunals Service in respect of any increase in the number of claimants in person resulting from an increase in the small claims limit for personal injury claims to £5,000;
	(7)  what assessment he has made of the likely change in the number and proportion of claimants in person if his proposal to increase the small claims limit for personal injury claims to £5,000 is implemented.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Prime Minister hosted an insurance summit on 14 February where the Government made a number of commitments designed to address the issue of the rising cost of motor insurance premiums.
	Among other action already ongoing, we are planning to launch a consultation document this summer which will contain a number of questions designed to seek stakeholders' and members of the public's views on issues around personal injury claims for whiplash in road traffic accidents.
	Through the consultation we will seek views on reducing the costs of challenging fraudulent cases in court by raising the small claims threshold for personal injury claims. We will also consider the use of independent medical panels to reduce fraudulent claims by tackling questionable medical evidence.
	However, work is ongoing and the outcome of the consultation cannot be predetermined.

Prisoners

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for what reason his Department did not submit information to the Council of Europe for the annual report on penal statistics.

Crispin Blunt: The Council of Europe Annual Penal Statistics, also known as SPACE (Statistiques Pénales Annuelles du Conseil de l’Europe), were published on 23 April 2012 and contained the penal statistics that the Ministry of Justice submitted for England and Wales.

Prisoners: Females

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many women with home addresses in Swindon were held in women's prisons between April 2011 and April 2012; what their average sentence length was; of what offences they had been convicted; and what the average number was of previous offences committed prior to their imprisonment.

Crispin Blunt: The information is not available in the format requested. The following tables show the number of female adult offenders with home addresses in Swindon who were held in female prisons in March 2011 and March 2012, on a set day in each month where data are available. Due to the small numbers involved it is not possible to produce meaningful averages from these data, so the information on sentence length and offence type has been grouped.
	
		
			 March 2011 
			 Sentence Status Total 
			 Remand 1 
			 Sentenced to 12 months to less than four years 6 
			 Sentenced to four years plus 1 
			 Grand total 8 
		
	
	
		
			 Offence Group Total 
			 Violence Against the Person 4 
			 Robbery 2 
			 Theft and handling 1 
			 Other offences 1 
			 Grand total 8 
		
	
	
		
			 March 2012 
			 Sentence Status Total 
			 Remand 2 
			 Sentenced to 12 months to less than four years 3 
			 Sentenced to four years plus 5 
			 Recall 3 
			 Grand total 13 
		
	
	
		
			 Offence Group Total 
			 Violence Against the Person 2 
			 Robbery 3 
			 Burglary 2 
			 Drug offences 3 
			 Motoring offences 1 
			 Other offences 2 
			 Grand total 13 
		
	
	Providing information on the number of previous offences for the offenders represented in the following data would require an individual search for each offender's record to establish their offending history, which would incur disproportionate cost.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	Information on offenders' residences is provided by offenders on reception into prison and recorded on a central IT system. Addresses can include a home address, an address to which offenders intend to return on discharge or next of kin address and these figures are provided in the table above.
	If no address is given, an offender's committal court address is used as a proxy for the area in which they are resident. These figures are also included in the table above. No address has been recorded and no court information is available for around 3% of all offenders; these figures are excluded from the table above.

Prisoners: Females

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many women held in women's prisons had children under the age of 18 in each of the last three years; and of those children, how many were (a) cared for by another parent, (b) cared for by a different family member, (c) taken into state care and (d) otherwise cared for during their mother's imprisonment.

Crispin Blunt: Data on the numbers of prisoners with dependent children under 18, and their arrangements for care during parental imprisonment are not routinely collected. However, a number of research studies have explored this issue. One estimate comes from the Ministry of Justice's Resettlement Surveys (2003 and 2004). These surveys suggested that around 60% of women prisoners with dependent children under 18 lived with their children before custody. Around three quarters of these women reported that their children now lived with another family member and around one quarter reported that their children now lived with their partner. A small proportion (around 3%) reported that their children had been taken into care. This information was published in a recent Ministry of Justice Research Report (“Prisoners' childhood and family backgrounds”).

Prisoners: Females

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many female adult offenders with home addresses in Swindon were held in (a) young offender institutions, (b) women's prisons and (c) other parts of the secure estate in each month since May 2009.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows the number of female adult offenders with home addresses in Swindon who were held in female prisons, on a set day in each month where data are available since May 2009. As all female adult offenders are held in female prisons, none were held in young offender institutions or other parts of the secure estate over the period.
	
		
			  May 2009 September 2010 November 2010 January 2011 March 2011 May 2011 
			 (a) Young Offender Institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 (b) Female Prisons 13 7 5 7 7 8 
			 (c) Other parts of the secure estate 0 0 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			  July 2011 September 2011 November 2011 January 2012 March 2012 
			 (a) Young Offender Institutions 0 0 0 0 0 
			 (b) Female Prisons 10 11 10 11 11 
			 (c) Other parts of the secure estate 0 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	Information on offenders' residences is provided by offenders on reception into prison and recorded on a central IT system. Addresses can include a home address, an address to which offenders intend to return on discharge or next of kin address and these figures are provided in the table above.
	If no address is given, an offender's committal court address is used as a proxy for the area in which they are resident. These figures are also included in the table above. No address has been recorded and no court information is available for around 3% of all offenders; these figures are excluded from the table above.

Prisoners: Repatriation

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2012, Official Report, column 634W, on prisoners: repatriation, what (a) the offences committed by and (b) the nationalities were of each of the 22 prisoners transferred to serve their sentences in European countries in 2011.

Crispin Blunt: The following table gives the member state of the European Union to which each of the 22 prisoners where transferred in 2011, together with the offences committed.
	
		
			  Member state of the European Union to which each prisoner was transferred in 2011 
			 Offence Member state Number 
			 Drugs importation Belgium 1 
			 Possessing firearms with intent to endanger life Czech Republic 1 
			 Drugs importation Czech Republic 2 
			 Attempted robbery Czech Republic 1 
			 Drugs importation The Netherlands 11 
			 Drugs importation Germany 1 
			 Drugs importation Greece 1 
			 Rape Poland 1 
		
	
	
		
			 Robbery Portugal 1 
			 Drugs importation Spain 2

Prisoners: Repatriation

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many applications were received to transfer foreign national prisoners from the UK to their country of nationality under the Council of Europe's convention on the transfer of sentenced persons in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: From 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011. 138 applications were received from prisoners who wanted to transfer to another country to serve their sentence of imprisonment there. 127 have been referred to other jurisdictions for consideration. Those not referred either did not meet the criteria for transfer, had withdrawn their requests, or had ongoing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom.

Prisoners: Repatriation

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many UK nationals were repatriated to serve their prison sentence in a UK prison under the Council of Europe's convention on the transfer of sentencd persons in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: The number of prisoners repatriated to England and Wales under the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons in each of the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
			 2007 63 
			 2008 47 
			 2009 52 
			 2010 74 
			 2011 58 
		
	
	The repatriation of prisoners to and from Scotland and to and from Northern Ireland is a matter for the relevant devolved Administration.

Prisoners: Repatriation

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the country of nationality was of foreign national offenders transferred to that country under the Council of Europe's convention on the transfer of sentenced persons in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: The following table gives the country of nationality of foreign national offenders transferred from England and Wales in each of the last five year.
	
		
			 Country 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 
			 Netherlands 75 42 25 24 11 
			 Belgium 10 5 1 1 1 
			 France 3 5 2 — — 
			 Republic of Ireland 5 4 1 — — 
			 Turkey 1 2 4 2 4 
			 Spain 2 3 1 — 2 
			 Germany 2 — 3 — 1 
			 Poland 1 1 — 3 1 
			 Lithuania 1 — — 4 — 
			 Dutch Antilles 5 1 — — — 
		
	
	
		
			 Canada — 3 — 1 — 
			 Cyprus 2 — — 1 — 
			 Czech Republic — — 1 1 4 
			 Switzerland 1 1 — — — 
			 Norway 2 — — — 1 
			 Slovenia — — 1 1 — 
			 Portugal — — — 2 1 
			 Italy 1 — — — — 
			 Macedonia — 1 — — — 
			 Austria — — — 1 — 
			 Bermuda — — — — 1 
			 Ecuador — — — — 1 
			 Greece — — — — 1 
		
	
	The repatriation of prisoners to and from Scotland and to and from Northern Ireland is a matter for the relevant devolved Administration.

Prisoners: Veterans

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of whether former military personnel sentenced to imprisonment have failed to declare their military service on reception into prison in order to protect their pension arrangements;
	(2)  whether prisoners on reception into prison are asked whether they have previously served in the armed forces; and how any such information is recorded;
	(3)  whether he is taking steps to ensure that former military personnel sentenced to prison disclose their military service on reception into prison.

Crispin Blunt: There has been no assessment carried out to date.
	Prison reception staff are not specifically required to ask newly-arrived prisoners whether they have served in the armed forces. However, prisoners do discuss aspects of their background, including their previous employment, with staff during the induction and assessment processes and if this information is disclosed, it will be recorded on the prisoner central database and can be shared with other Government Departments and agencies, both internal and external.
	There are no current plans to introduce amendments to the existing procedures.

Prisons: Crimes of Violence

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many extra days' imprisonment have been given to prisoners for assaults committed on (a) prison staff and (b) prisoners in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: The adjudication process exists to allow prison governors and independent adjudicators to deal with breaches of prison discipline. Additional days are one of the punishments that can be given for proven adjudication offences. Data are held and published on proven adjudication offences and the punishments given.
	The following table gives the total number of proven violence offences, and the number where additional days were given as punishment. Data on punishments for assaults have been provided for 2007-09, but this more detailed breakdown is not available for 2010 and 2011.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	
		
			 Number of violence offences punished by additional days awarded 
			  2007 2008 2009 2010(1) 2011(1) 
			 Offences punished by additional days awarded:      
			 Violence 1,028 872 854 913 1,082 
			 Assault: 946 800 737 — — 
			 On staff 600 460 393 — — 
			 On a prisoner 225 210 213 — — 
			 All offences of violence(2) 17,667 18,788 17,742 16,155 16,655 
			 All punishments for violence 30,574 33,135 32,690 32,855 31,096 
			 (1) Data quality issues introduced as a result of changes to prison recording systems for adjudications prevent a more detailed breakdown of offence type in 2010 and 2011. (2) The number of offences punished and punishments given are not equal because in many cases two or more punishments are given for a single offence. Source: Offender Management Statistics 2007 to 2011

Prisons: Crimes of Violence

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many assaults on (a) prisoners and (b) prison staff have resulted in admittance to an intensive care unit in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many incidents of assaults on (a) prisoners, (b) prison staff, (c) prisoners requiring hospitalisation and (d) prison staff requiring hospitalisation were recorded in prisons in the UK in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: The information is as follows:
	(1) Information on the number of assaults resulting in admittance to an intensive care unit is not recorded centrally. We do record overall numbers of assault incidents in which victims were admitted to a hospital as an in-patient (see table 2 as follows).
	(2) In answer to parts (a) and (b), table 1 as follows shows the number of prisoner on prisoner assault incidents in England and Wales and numbers of assaults on staff from 2006-10.
	
		
			 Table 1: Assault incidents in prison custody, England and Wales 
			  2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 (a) Prisoner on prisoner assaults 11,530 12,018 12,834 12,150 11,252 
			 (b) Assaults on staff 3,530 3,273 3,211 3,083 2,856 
		
	
	As more than one person may be assaulted during an incident, these categories overlap and should not be added. The figures are from assaults tables 8 and 11 in safety in custody assaults 2010 which are available at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/prisons-and-probation/safety-in-custody
	Prisoner on prisoner assaults exclude a small percentage of incidents in which prisoners may have been assaulted by others—for example, visitors.
	In answer to parts (c) and (d), we only produce overall figures for assault-related attendances at hospital as an in-patient. As more than one person may be assaulted during an incident it is not always possible to distinguish from centrally recorded data who was hospitalised. Table 2 as follows shows the number of assault-related attendances at hospital as an in-patient compared with the overall number of assault incidents.
	
		
			 Table 2: Assault-related hospital attendances England and Wales 
			  2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 Total assault incidents(1) 15,057 15,272 15,959 15,185 14,356 
			 Of which:      
			 (c+d) Attendance at hospital as in-patient 235 211 237 196 213 
			 Percentage attendance at hospital 1.6 1.4 1.5 1.3 1.5 
			 (1 )The figures are from assaults table 13 in Safety in Custody Assaults 2010.

Probate: Winchester

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on how many occasions the Bournemouth caller office of the Winchester District Probate Registry has been open in the last six months; and how many applications have been made to attend the office for a grant of representation before a member of staff of the Probate Service.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Bournemouth caller office has not been opened in the last six months.
	A full list of appointments (50-60 applications) is required to justify on cost grounds the opening of a probate caller office. All applicants are therefore given an earlier appointment date at Winchester to avoid unnecessary delay in them receiving their grant. Applicants also have the option of swearing an oath, prepared by staff of the Probate Service, in front of a solicitor of their choice.
	Over the last six months, 160 personal applicants (out of 3568) initially asked to attend the caller office at Bournemouth to swear the oath in support of their application. However, when they were informed the office would only be opened when a full list of appointments had been requested for Bournemouth, all but one applicant were happy to take an earlier appointment at Winchester or swear their oath before a solicitor.

Russia

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the purpose of his visit to Russia was; who accompanied him; and if he will make a statement.

Kenneth Clarke: The purpose of my visit to Russia was to attend the St Petersburg International Legal Forum; to promote UK legal services; and discuss other important topics, including human rights and the rule of law.
	I met Alexander Konovalov, to discuss justice co-operation, rule of law, the protection of human rights (including the cases of Sergei Magnitsky and Mikhail Khodorkovsky) and legal sector reform. I discussed a number of justice reform matters with the US Attorney-General, Eric Holder. I also met a number of other Justice Ministers during the Forum.
	Outside of the Forum, I took part in a round table discussion with a mixed audience of researchers, business people, judiciary and local government officials where I spoke about the Bribery Act 2010 and anti-corruption measures.
	I discussed legal sector regulation and its impact on attracting foreign business and the benefits of continuing judicial exchanges through the Slynn Foundation with Anton Ivanov, President of the Russian Supreme Commercial Court.
	I discussed the judicial reform agenda in Russia. Russia's relationship with the European Court of Human Rights and human rights more generally with Valery Zorkin, Chairman of the Russian Constitutional Court.
	I also met a number of Russian academics and legal and human rights experts.
	I was accompanied on this visit by my Parliamentary Private Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre and Preston North (Mr Wallace), my Principal Private Secretary and one policy official.

Translation Services

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many times he has met (a) the Association of Police and Court Interpreters, (b) the Association of Sign Language Interpreters, (c) the National Union of Professional Interpreters and Translators, (d) the Professional Interpreters Alliance, (e) the Society of Official Metropolitan Interpreters, (f) the Society for Public Service Interpreting and (g) Visual Language Professionals since May 2010;
	(2)  if he will meet (a) the Association of Police and Court Interpreters, (b) the Association of Sign Language Interpreters, (c) the National Union of Professional Interpreters and Translators, (d) the Professional Interpreters Alliance, (e) the Society of Official Metropolitan Interpreters, (f) the Society for Public Service Interpreting and (g) Visual Language Professionals to discuss the provision of interpreting facilities in the justice system.

Crispin Blunt: The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke), has not met with these representative interpreter groups. However, the Ministry sought interpreters’ views on the industry during a series of four road shows during late 2009; met various stakeholders in August and September 2010 and consulted key interested parties, including the police, on the proposed Framework Agreement as part of the procurement process and received a wide range of views in response. Now that the Framework Agreement has been implemented the Ministry continues to receive, consider and respond to correspondence from interested parties and groups. We will consider all meeting requests received.

Trials

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on how many occasions a retrial was required because of interpreting failures in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012.

Crispin Blunt: The Ministry of Justice does not centrally record the number of retrials in either the magistrates or Crown courts. We are aware of one reported instance of a retrial ordered due to interpreting failure during 2012. Information is not available for 2010-11.

Victim Support Schemes

Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on the future of support services for victims and witnesses of crime when the responsibility for the commissioning of those services has been transferred to police and crime commissioners.

Crispin Blunt: Our policy proposals were set out in the consultation "Getting it right for victims and witnesses". The consultation closed on 22 April and we are considering the responses received. We intend to publish the Government response to the consultation shortly.

Young Offenders

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were (a) acquitted and (b) convicted of offences under section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 in each of the last 10 years.

Crispin Blunt: Persons acquitted and found guilty at all courts under section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, in England and Wales, from 2001-11, can be viewed in the following table.
	
		
			 Number of persons acquitted and found guilty at all courts under section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, England and Wales, 2001-11(1, 2) 
			  2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008(3) 2009 2010 2011 
			 Acquitted(4) 173 172 205 189 177 152 143 125 169 205 165 
			 Found guilty 414 444 494 540 482 488 493 586 720 710 678 
			 (1) The figures given relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. (4) Acquitted includes: discharged and dismissed at the magistrates court and acquitted at the Crown court. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services: Ministry of Justice.

EDUCATION

Academies

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools in (a) Coventry South constituency, (b) Coventry, (c) the West Midlands and (d) nationally have applied for academy status since May 2010.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is as follows.
	As at 1 May 2012 in:
	(a) Coventry South constituency, four schools have applied to convert to academy status;
	(b) Coventry, nine schools have applied to convert to academy status;
	(c) The West Midlands, 205 schools have applied to convert to academy status;
	(d) Nationally, 2,160 schools have applied to convert to academy status.
	Information about schools that have applied to convert to become academies is available on the Department for Education website at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/typesofschools/academies/b00208569/open-academies

Adoption: Ethnic Groups

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of children awaiting adoption are black and minority ethnic.

Tim Loughton: The proportion of children awaiting adoption who are black and minority ethnic was 16% (970) of all children who were waiting to be adopted (5,990), at 31 March 2011, the latest date for which this information is available.
	The data items in relation to whether adoption from care is/is no longer the plan were introduced on a mandatory basis in the SSDA903 return from local authorities in 2008-09. There may have been some children for whom the decision was made that they should be adopted in earlier years and are still awaiting adoption; however these have not been included in this response due to the partial nature of the data received for earlier years.
	The decision that a looked after child should be placed for adoption is made by their local authority but a child cannot be placed for adoption without either a placement order from the court or parental consent. Children who are waiting to be adopted include those who have already been placed for adoption (but an adoption order has not yet been made or applied for), those for whom the local authority has applied for a placement order and those where the local authority is identifying a family suitable to meet the needs of the child. Once a child is placed for adoption, it is for the prospective adopters to apply to the court for an adoption order. Being “placed for adoption” means the child goes to live with or continue to live with prospective adopters.
	Information on adopted children can be found in the Statistical First Release “Children Looked After by Local Authorities in England (including adoption and care leavers)—year ending 31 March 2011”, which is available on the Department’s website via the following link:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001026/index.shtml

Adoption: Ethnic Groups

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many black and minority ethnic families have adopted children since January (a) 2011, (b) 2010, (c) 2012 and (d) 1992.

Tim Loughton: Information on the ethnicity of adopters is not collected centrally by the Department.

Child Abuse

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many people were charged for offences under section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 in each of the last 10 years.

Edward Garnier: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Attorney-General.
	The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains no central record of the number of people charged with offences under section 1 of the Children and Youth Persons Act 1933 (CYPA 1933). This information could be obtained only by examining all of the CPS’s case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.
	The CPS central management information database does provide a record of the number of offences charged under section 1 CYPA 1933 and in respect of which a prosecution was commenced in the magistrates court rather than the number of defendants prosecuted. The data are available from 2004-05 and the figures are summarised in the following table.
	
		
			  Offences 
			 2004-05 1,906 
			 2005-06 1,846 
			 2006-07 1,491 
			 2007-08 1,662 
			 2008-09 1,818 
			 2009-10 2,266 
			 2010-11 2,334 
			 2011-12 2,276

Classroom Assistants

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many attacks on classroom assistants occurred in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011.

Nick Gibb: There is no requirement that either schools or local authorities in their role as the employer of the school workforce notify the Department about the number of attacks that have taken place against members of the school workforce, including classroom assistants. This information is not therefore held centrally.

Complaints

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many complaints about the work of his Department and each of its non-departmental public bodies were received in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: In 2010-11 the Department received 195 complaints and in 2011-12 it received 349. These range from complaints about the handling of a telephone conversation to complaints about third party institutions.
	Central data are not held for all non-departmental public bodies, but we do hold the following information:
	The Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) had 11 non-academy related complaints in 2010-11 and 10 in 2011-12. Over that two year period there were 13 complaints relating to academies in YPLA.
	The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) received 908 complaints in 2010-11, and in 2011-12 it received 321 (as the QCDA to September 2011, and as the Standards and Teaching Agency from that date).
	Partnerships for Schools received six complaints in 2010-11 and two in 2011-12.
	The National College for School Leadership (NCSL) received 24 complaints in 2010-11 and 35 in 2011-12.
	The Office of the Children's Commissioner received no formal complaints over this period.
	Anthony Douglas, the chief executive of CAFCASS, has written to the hon. Member answering this query and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Libraries.
	Letter from Anthony Douglas, dated 22 May 2012
	I am writing to you in order to provide answers to the Parliamentary Question that you tabled recently.
	The following table indicates the number of complaints Cafcass has received in 2010-11 and 2011-12.
	
		
			  Number of complaints received 
			 2010-11 1.064 
			 2011-12 1.264

Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many letters to Ministers in his Department were (a) not answered, (b) not answered within six months and (c) not answered within three months in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how many such letters were from hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: The information requested by the hon. Member is in the following tables:
	
		
			 Ministerial replies sent 
			  Ministerial Replies sent to MPs Ministerial replies sent to others Total ministerial replies sent 
			 2010/11 10,232 7,934 18,166 
			 2011/12 10,941 3,933 14,874 
		
	
	
		
			 Ministerial replies sent late 
			  Late replies—over 3 months from receipt of which from MPs Late replies—over 6 months from receipt of which from MPs Total of which from MPs 
			 2010/11 1,429 990 19 11 1,448 1,001 
			 2011/12 428 294 7 4 435 298 
		
	
	
		
			 Ministerial correspondence cases—No Reply Required(1) 
			  Cases for which no reply required Of which from MPs 
			 2010/11 2,916 108 
			 2011/12 1,028 86 
			 (1) “No Reply Required” category includes correspondence such as “thank you” letters; cases where a correspondent has asked for no reply; correspondence sent for information only; where the correspondence resulted in a meeting with the correspondent.

Dominic Cummings

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what meetings his special adviser, Dominic Cummings, has had with external organisations since his appointment; and on what dates.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 24 May 2012
	Mr Cummings meets with a variety of people from different organisations as part of his role as special adviser.

Dominic Cummings

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish all e-mails sent by his special adviser, Dominic Cummings.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 24 May 2012
	This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Dyslexia

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many teachers in (a) Dartford, (b) Kent, (c) the south-east and (d) England participated in specialist dyslexia training courses in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: The information is not available in the format requested.
	The Government funded 3,200 teachers to undertake postgraduate qualifications in dyslexia between 2009 and 2011. These were accredited by the British Dyslexia Association and managed by the Dyslexia SpLD Trust (2009) and by the Training and Development Agency (2010 and 2011). In addition 9,000 Special Educational Needs co-ordinators have been funded to secure the mandatory masters qualification in the three years up to March 2011. This includes identifying and meeting the broad range of pupils' special educational needs and supporting classroom teachers to do so.

Dyslexia

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department is taking to ensure that initial teacher training course providers provide dyslexia awareness sessions.

Nick Gibb: All teachers should have a clear understanding of the needs of pupils with special educational needs, including dyslexia. In order to be awarded qualified teacher status from September 2012, all trainee teachers must demonstrate that they can adapt their teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils, as set out in the new Teachers' Standards. Specifically, teachers will have to have a clear understanding of the needs of pupils with special educational needs or disabilities.
	The Secretary of State for Education does not set the content of initial teacher training courses or require that training providers deliver dyslexia awareness sessions. It is for training providers to decide what trainees should be taught to enable them to achieve the Teachers' Standards. The Department does not mandate content of initial teacher training courses.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many people in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the north-east and (d) the UK received education maintenance allowance in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: During the 2010/11 academic year, the final year of the education maintenance allowance (EMA) programme:
	(a) Data on education maintenance allowance (EMA) were collected at local authority level. Data on the number of EMA payments made to people in the Jarrow constituency are therefore unavailable.
	(b) 2,409 people in South Tyneside received EMA payments.
	(c) 37,213 people in the north-east of England received EMA payments.
	(d) 636,496 people in England received EMA payments. The Department does not hold data on EMA for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Education Maintenance Allowance: Middlesbrough

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the amount of education maintenance allowance paid to residents of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in 2010-11; and what estimate he has made of the total value of discretionary 16-19 bursaries that will be paid in 2011-12 in respect of students who are residents of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency.

Nick Gibb: The Department does not collect constituency-level data on the education maintenance allowance (EMA) or the 16-19 bursary fund. The 2011/12 academic year is the first in which the 16-19 bursary fund has been operating, and a breakdown is not yet available on the proportion paid as discretionary payments and on the number of £1,200 bursaries paid to vulnerable groups.
	Data for 2010/11 and 2011/12 academic years are available on the total EMA and 16-19 bursary payments for the two local authorities which the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency falls within. This includes data on EMA transitional arrangements which are in place this year.
	
		
			 £ 
			 Local authority 2010/11 EMA payments 2011/12 EMA transitional payments (year to date) 2011/12 bursary funding 
			 Middlesbrough 1,900,625 868,810 563,000 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 1,686,275 394,740 380,000 
			 Total 3,586,900 1,263,550 943,000 
			 Note: By phasing out EMA this year the Government will have reduced spending from around £580 million a year for EMA to £180 million a year by more effectively targeting the funding at those young people who genuinely need financial support to continue in further education.

Financial Services: Education

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the provision of teaching of financial literacy in primary schools.

Nick Gibb: Finance education is currently taught as part of Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education. The last Ofsted survey of PSHE, in 2010, included limited evidence about the teaching of personal finance education because the subject was relatively new. We are looking at the quality of finance education as part of a review of PSHE to determine how we can improve the quality of all PSHE teaching.
	We set out, in our White Paper, “The Importance of Teaching”, how schools will be freed from central Government direction, and how we will trust the professional judgment of teachers to decide on the teaching that best meets the needs of their pupils. Consistent with that principle, we have also protected front-line school budgets, and reduced central Government programmes, so that schools can also decide how to use their resources to meet local priorities. We therefore have no plans to create a database of personal finance education teaching resources and volunteers. Schools are aware that there are a number of sources available from which they can obtain useful information, including, for example, the Personal Finance Education Group, who have a wide range of resources on their website aimed at teachers and finance education practitioners.

Fraud

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the level of (a) procurement and (b) other fraud affecting his Department's spending in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: In 2011-12, the level of fraud affecting the Department for Education was £5,400. We do not record fraud in this Department in the categories of "procurement fraud" and "other fraud". We do, of course, have details of the fraud(s) which make up the figure of £5,400. This figure will be published as an Annex to our imminent Annual Report.
	There were no material cases of fraud in 2010-11, as stated in our Annual Report and Accounts, for that year, point 21.15:
	http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/d/annual%20report%20and%20accounts%202010%2011.pdf

Free School Meals: South East

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children received free school meals in (a) Dartford, (b) Kent and (c) the south- east in each of the last five years; and what proportion of eligible children in each area took them in each year.

Nick Gibb: Information on the number and percentage of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals is shown in the tables.
	Information on how many pupils meet the eligibility criteria but do not make a claim is not available.
	Information on the number of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals as at January 2011 is published in the Statistical First Release “Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics, January 2011” available at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001012/index.shtml
	
		
			 Maintained nursery, state-funded primary, state-funded secondary, special schools and pupil referral units(1,2,3,4,5), January 2007 to 2011: Dartford constituency, Kent local authority, south-east and England 
			  Number and percentage of pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			  2007 
			  No on roll(6,7) No of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals(6,7) % known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			     
			 England 6,894,390 1,105,690 16.0 
			     
			 South-east 1,068,680 102,755 9.6 
			     
			 Kent 193,595 20,482 10.6 
			     
			 Dartford Constituency 15,133 1,335 8.8 
		
	
	
		
			  Number and percentage of pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			  2008 
			  No on roll(6,7) No of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals(6,7) % known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			     
			 England 6,829,670 1,076,240 15.8 
			     
			 South-east 1,061,970 100,420 9.5 
			     
			 Kent 192,271 20,042 10.4 
			     
			 Dartford Constituency 15,053 1,275 8.5 
		
	
	
		
			  Number and percentage of pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			  2009 
			  No on roll(6,7) No of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals(6,7) % known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			     
			 England 6,786,750 1,096,525 16.2 
			     
			 South-east 1,060,780 106,180 10.0 
			     
			 Kent 190,859 22,295 11.7 
			     
			 Dartford Constituency 15,079 1,407 9.3 
		
	
	
		
			  Number and percentage of pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			  2010(5) 
			  No on roll(6,7) No of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals(6,7) % known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			     
			 England 6,796,500 1,184,920 17.4 
			     
			 South-east 1,065,760 118,365 11.1 
			     
			 Kent 191,369 25,160 13.1 
			     
			 Dartford Constituency 15,259 1,668 10.9 
		
	
	
		
			  Number and percentage of pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			  2011(5) 
			  No on roll(6,7) No of pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals(6,7) % known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals 
			     
			 England 6,803,755 1,227,110 18.0 
			     
			 South-east 1,070,110 127,660 11.9 
			     
			 Kent 191,211 26,600 13.9 
			     
			 Dartford Constituency 15,409 1,790 11.6 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Includes primary academies. (3) Includes city technology colleges and secondary academies. (4) Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes general hospital schools. (5) From 2010, includes pupil referral units (when the collection became pupil level). (6) Includes full time and part time pupils who are sole or dual main registrations. Includes boarding pupils. In pupil referral units, also includes pupils registered with other providers and further education colleges. (7) Pupils who have full time attendance and are aged 15 or under, or pupils who have part time attendance and are aged between five and 15. National and regional totals have been rounded to the nearest 5. Source: School Census

Free Schools: Finance

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what additional funding is available for church groups operating free schools outside that made available through the free schools programme.

Nick Gibb: Church groups operating free schools do not receive any additional funding.

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what meetings he has had with the Information Commissioner to discuss his Department's compliance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in the last 12 months.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 24 May 2012
	None.

Further and Higher Education

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of school leavers in (a) England, (b) the north-west and (c) Lancashire enrolled in (i) further education and (ii) higher education courses in 2011.

Tim Loughton: The Department does not currently publish statistics on school leavers.
	The best current proxy for school leaver statistics is the data on participation in education post-16 published in a Department for Education (DFE) Statistical First Release (SFR) entitled “Participation in Education, Training and Employment by 16-18 Year Olds in England”. The latest data on participation at local authority level relate to a snapshot at the end of 2010, part way through the 2010/11 academic year.
	Table 1 shows the proportions of young people of academic age 16, 17 and 18 years old in England in further and higher education. Table 2 shows the proportion of academic age 16 and 17 years old in further education and higher education in the north-west region and Lancashire.
	
		
			 Table 1: Participation in further education and higher education in England at end 2010 
			  Percentage of cohort 
			 Academic age 16  
			 Further education 92.3 
			 Higher education 0.4 
			   
			 Academic age 17  
			 Further education 80.1 
			 Higher education 1.1 
			   
			 Academic age 18  
			 Further education 29.2 
			 Higher education 24.8 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Participation in further education and higher education in the north-west and Lancashire at end 2010 
			  Percentage of cohort 
			  North-west Lancashire 
			 Academic age 16   
			 Further education 91 88 
			 Higher education 0 0 
			    
		
	
	
		
			 Academic age 17   
			 Further education 78 77 
			 Higher education 1 1 
			 Notes: 1. Participation figures for 18-year-olds are not available disaggregated by local authority. 2. The definition of further and higher education is made in terms of the type of institution attended and not the level of study. Further education comprises maintained schools, academies and city technology colleges, independent schools, sixth form colleges and colleges of further education, tertiary colleges and specialist colleges. Higher education comprises higher education institutions. 
		
	
	The first statistics on students progressing from schools and colleges will be published in July 2012 as an experimental statistical release. Known as “destination measures”, the first version will track progression into education destinations at the end of key stage 4 and the end of key stage 5 from schools, sixth form colleges and general further education (FE) colleges. As such the data will cover different cohorts of young people, for those at the end of key stage 4 will usually be aged 16, while those at the end of key stage 5 will usually be aged 18. The data published in July 2012 will look at those transitioning between academic year 2008/09 and 2009/10.

GCSE

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils in each maintained secondary school in England were on roll in year 11 in 2010; what the unique reference number is of each school; how many children sat the GCSE exam in (a) English and (b) mathematics in (i) 2005 and (ii) 2010 with each awarding body in each school; and what proportion of pupils achieved grade C or above in each subject in those years in each school.

Nick Gibb: The information requested for 2010 has been placed in the House Libraries. The information for 2005 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

GCSE

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education further to the answer of 30 April 2012, Official Report, column 1235W, on GCSE, what proportion of pupils achieved five GCSE A* to C grades, including mathematics and English, in schools (a) without and (b) with sixth forms in each local authority in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: The requested information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 GCSE and equivalent results of pupils(1) by sixth form provision(2) for each local authority(3) and region, 2006/07 to 2010/11(4, 5) (revised), England 
			   Percentage of pupils achieving 5+ GCSEs at grade A*-C or equivalent including English and mathematics GCSEs 
			   Without sixth form With sixth form 
			 Region/local authority LA/region number 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 
			 North-east E12000001 37.6 40.9 44.7 51.6 56.1 47.2 50.1 52.8 55.9 60.0 
			 Darlington E06000005 42.4 47.0 49.1 53.4 65.4 63.7 64.7 68.9 70.2 78.3 
			 Durham E06000047 36.7 39.5 43.5 53.5 58.2 49.5 51.3 55.9 59.7 63.4 
			 Gateshead E08000020 27.9 28.8 32.6 42.5 41.4 50.2 51.5 56.4 57.0 64.6 
			 Hartlepool E06000001 35.5 36.4 44.9 50.5 52.1 51.2 49.5 61.5 46.9 68.9 
			 Middlesbrough E06000002 29.2 32.0 34.1 38.1 35.1 51.2 55.5 52.3 55.1 50.5 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne E08000021 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 38.5 39.7 42.4 50.0 53.4 
			 North Tyneside E08000022 49.3 52.1 50.8 51.3 59.8 47.6 50.9 55.6 54.9 59.2 
		
	
	
		
			 Northumberland E06000048 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 47.0 51.5 52.6 54.8 58.5 
			 Redcar and Cleveland E06000003 37.8 45.6 50.0 53.5 58.0 40.6 44.0 46.1 53.4 56.8 
			 South Tyneside E08000023 39.3 41.4 45.2 53.6 59.2 51.3 48.8 57.9 57.7 59.0 
			 Stockton-on-Tees E06000004 41.6 44.4 45.3 49.4 56.9 58.6 66.7 63.9 65.9 71.2 
			 Sunderland E08000024 36.1 39.8 45.3 54.2 56.1 51.3 58.4 52.0 63.3 64.7 
			             
			 North West E12000002 40.8 43.6 46.9 52.8 56.6 49.7 52.5 54.3 59.2 61.8 
			 Blackburn with Darwen E06000008 40.7 43.0 42.8 53.0 58.3 56.9 57.5 48.4 53.3 55.7 
			 Blackpool E06000009 34.8 33.6 38.9 48.0 46.7 37.1 44.5 41.3 50.9 48.4 
			 Bolton E08000001 34.4 38.9 40.9 49.0 59.2 50.3 55.7 56.6 59.0 60.8 
			 Bury E08000002 52.1 54.4 58.0 61.3 61.4 59.4 64.8 66.2 68.8 74.9 
			 Cheshire(6) n/a 41.9 45.0 n/a n/a n/a 54.7 55.6 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Cheshire East E06000049 n/a n/a 45.7 51.7 52.9 n/a n/a 61.4 66.3 68.3 
			 Cheshire West and Chester E06000050 n/a n/a 51.5 54.6 58.8 n/a n/a 51.0 57.6 60.5 
			 Cumbria E10000006 40.1 47.5 47.5 55.0 54.1 47.4 48.6 50.2 58.0 58.2 
			 Halton E06000006 40.9 51.9 46.8 53.3 60.5 44.1 45.4 41.9 45.7 52.0 
			 Knowsley E08000011 26.4 29.1 35.0 36.0 39.5 28.7 34.1 32.0 46.2 46.7 
			 Lancashire E10000017 46.3 48.9 51.5 56.2 58.4 55.3 58.0 60.0 61.2 66.5 
			 Liverpool E08000012 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 38.0 42.2 45.2 54.3 56.2 
			 Manchester E08000003 31.0 34.0 36.3 46.1 54.1 38.2 47.1 47.3 46.3 49.9 
			 Oldham E08000004 32.3 36.3 41.2 47.9 54.0 61.1 60.0 60.0 61.4 67.5 
			 Rochdale E08000005 40.2 39.6 46.7 52.5 51.2 47.6 49.5 50.0 50.2 58.2 
			 Salford E08000006 38.6 41.9 49.8 52.7 55.8 38.1 35.6 34.9 43.7 47.3 
			 Sefton E08000014 38.1 43.7 46.7 49.2 57.9 52.3 57.0 58.7 60.9 61.3 
			 St Helens E08000013 37.2 40.3 43.3 46.2 49.7 45.3 48.1 51.6 58.5 61.1 
			 Stockport E08000007 51.1 54.5 57.2 63.1 66.9 0.0 25.4 23.7 45.6 36.8 
			 Tameside E08000008 40.3 40.3 46.6 50.3 56.4 54.7 53.2 43.7 51.4 54.4 
			 Trafford E08000009 35.5 40.1 40.0 48.3 47.9 74.8 77.6 76.1 78.7 79.9 
			 Warrington E06000007 43.0 43.0 51.6 52.4 56.3 53.3 58.1 64.1 65.8 68.3 
			 Wigan E08000010 44.1 45.2 48.0 55.4 57.4 49.8 51.3 54.5 61.1 57.3 
			 Wirral E08000015 30.1 34.7 38.0 45.6 56.9 54.4 55.1 58.5 62.7 67.9 
			             
			 Yorkshire and the Humber E12000003 37.2 39.0 43.2 48.3 51.6 46.5 48.4 50.5 54.8 56.9 
			 Barnsley E08000016 29.7 32.4 38.1 38.0 42.0 42.2 37.9 48.6 54.3 60.2 
			 Bradford E08000032 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 36.7 37.3 42.2 45.0 47.5 
			 Calderdale E08000033 22.4 33.2 30.8 35.2 46.6 47.7 51.9 52.4 56.6 60.7 
			 Doncaster E08000017 34.9 40.0 44.6 70.2 80.8 38.4 39.8 43.3 50.4 53.3 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire E06000011 57.6 51.6 59.9 62.7 61.3 50.8 52.8 52.2 58.7 55.5 
			 Kingston upon Hull, City of E06000010 29.1 27.9 36.2 41.9 45.2 45.8 53.3 44.2 47.0 53.4 
			 Kirklees E08000034 40.2 42.8 45.4 50.2 56.9 53.1 55.6 56.4 63.5 68.9 
			 Leeds E08000035 41.7 43.9 43.7 46.9 50.6 42.1 46.7 46.1 51.0 54.0 
			 North East Lincolnshire E06000012 32.4 35.4 40.7 52.8 50.1 61.9 49.1 55.1 57.7 60.6 
			 North Lincolnshire E06000013 40.6 43.2 45.2 50.3 53.0 41.8 36.9 48.6 56.1 51.7 
			 North Yorkshire E10000023 43.4 44.3 48.6 52.8 56.6 60.3 60.8 64.8 66.7 67.3 
			 Rotherham E08000018 37.7 35.8 41.9 46.2 49.8 41.3 45.4 52.0 55.0 62.6 
			 Sheffield E08000019 34.1 35.3 40.0 45.6 45.7 52.3 52.4 53.9 58.1 58.3 
			 Wakefield E08000036 43.1 49.4 48.5 54.1 58.3 53.1 55.7 51.5 59.1 56.6 
			 York E06000014 48.1 46.9 54.4 58.8 59.0 59.7 59.5 62.8 59.3 64.5 
			             
			 East Midlands E12000004 34.2 37.7 42.3 47.9 50.1 47.4 49.8 52.3 55.6 59.2 
			 Derby E06000015 31.1 43.2 41.2 53.1 57.3 44.0 52.2 47.9 57.0 57.7 
			 Derbyshire E10000007 39.8 42.9 46.4 49.9 52.9 50.3 51.0 53.3 57.6 61.3 
			 Leicester E06000016 38.1 40.8 44.7 50.8 51.5 32.7 38.0 44.6 43.6 55.7 
			 Leicestershire E10000018 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 48.8 51.9 52.6 55.3 56.9 
		
	
	
		
			 Lincolnshire E10000019 29.0 32.6 37.9 42.0 46.1 61.3 63.4 65.9 68.1 69.5 
			 Northamptonshire E10000021 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 42.3 45.4 49.0 52.0 55.4 
			 Nottingham E06000018 25.9 26.8 35.4 41.8 41.4 47.7 50.0 51.2 46.9 51.7 
			 Nottinghamshire E10000024 24.7 30.7 40.9 48.3 36.9 42.0 43.5 47.3 51.5 58.0 
			 Rutland E06000017 57.5 61.5 60.4 62.7 61.8 59.1 52.6 53.8 58.6 58.5 
			             
			 West Midlands E12000005 41.2 43.8 46.5 53.3 56.8 44.7 47.7 49.9 55.1 58.3 
			 Birmingham E08000025 30.9 36.6 40.5 48.7 52.9 47.3 50.4 51.7 58.1 61.0 
			 Coventry E08000026 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 39.2 42.0 48.4 52.2 55.5 
			 Dudley E08000027 41.5 44.4 47.1 55.3 57.4 57.5 64.0 62.8 67.9 69.2 
			 Herefordshire E06000019 53.3 53.0 56.1 57.9 61.0 49.2 52.1 47.7 53.5 51.6 
			 Sandwell E08000028 30.1 28.4 39.5 35.7 44.0 30.3 32.2 37.3 44.6 50.7 
			 Shropshire E06000051 55.2 57.6 59.8 59.6 61.6 50.5 49.9 52.3 55.2 57.9 
			 Solihull E08000029 62.9 66.7 62.0 67.0 67.5 45.4 45.6 48.4 54.9 57.1 
			 Staffordshire E10000028 42.8 46.1 49.9 52.7 60.0 46.4 50.6 51.1 54.4 55.9 
			 Stoke-on-Trent E06000021 31.3 32.4 36.2 45.0 45.9 52.5 59.3 55.5 64.2 62.8 
			 Telford and Wrekin E06000020 33.6 35.2 38.3 49.4 52.1 72.9 80.4 70.8 75.5 75.4 
			 Walsall E08000030 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 35.6 40.7 44.1 49.6 56.5 
			 Warwickshire E10000031 40.0 41.2 45.0 51.7 56.7 53.0 58.0 59.0 63.5 62.7 
			 Wolverhampton E08000031 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 37.1 40.1 43.7 52.5 58.0 
			 Worcestershire E10000034 48.3 50.6 45.6 61.3 64.4 48.2 47.2 50.2 54.1 59.7 
			             
			 East of England E12000006 41.4 44.8 47.1 52.7 55.4 51.9 53.1 54.2 57.8 61.1 
			 Bedfordshire(6) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 47.8 49.9 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Bedford E06000055 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 48.7 51.5 56.9 
			 Cambridgeshire E10000003 49.7 58.8 64.9 65.4 65.0 49.6 51.1 52.4 56.2 56.5 
			 Central Bedfordshire E06000056 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 50.7 54.9 60.1 
			 Essex E10000012 38.6 41.3 42.5 49.0 53.6 53.1 54.4 55.3 58.4 61.5 
			 Hertfordshire E10000015 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 56.6 58.8 60.2 65.1 67.8 
			 Luton E06000032 39.0 46.7 46.0 53.8 57.8 55.1 40.3 46.9 46.9 53.3 
			 Norfolk E10000020 46.3 48.7 50.6 54.8 57.7 44.8 47.6 49.9 50.8 54.5 
			 Peterborough E06000031 23.8 n/a n/a n/a n/a 38.3 37.4 40.8 45.8 50.0 
			 Southend-on-Sea E06000033 30.7 n/a n/a n/a n/a 56.4 55.7 58.7 62.5 65.7 
			 Suffolk E10000029 38.3 37.6 41.1 45.6 45.0 52.1 51.3 52.7 55.2 59.7 
			 Thurrock E06000034 41.0 40.8 45.8 56.1 58.6 37.4 46.4 48.5 57.9 62.3 
			             
			 London E12000007 39.3 42.9 46.8 52.8 58.1 50.8 53.3 56.3 59.8 63.4 
			 Inner London E13000001 37.4 40.6 45.3 50.5 56.3 46.0 49.4 52.8 57.0 62.0 
			 Camden E09000007 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 46.4 46.6 51.8 54.2 61.2 
			 City of London E09000001 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Hackney E09000012 38.0 37.4 43.1 50.0 52.1 44.7 44.9 55.1 58.0 59.5 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham E09000013 56.1 52.2 63.4 66.7 72.7 62.1 62.7 68.6 72.9 74.2 
			 Haringey E09000014 29.3 34.6 37.9 43.8 51.6 44.6 48.9 52.7 52.0 62.4 
			 Islington E09000019 36.4 35.5 44.2 47.2 45.8 39.1 43.8 46.6 53.3 53.0 
			 Kensington and Chelsea E09000020 46.1 53.1 57.0 63.3 62.8 63.7 64.4 72.1 76.7 79.6 
			 Lambeth E09000022 36.7 40.3 58.7 60.8 60.5 44.2 51.3 54.5 53.5 63.2 
			 Lewisham E09000023 34.8 42.2 42.1 48.1 53.9 45.7 51.7 52.3 48.7 58.3 
			 Newham E09000025 40.5 42.2 44.5 49.0 57.0 69.6 70.5 67.8 77.9 70.0 
			 Southwark E09000028 40.8 44.6 60.0 57.3 47.9 37.9 43.6 44.5 56.0 58.7 
			 Tower Hamlets E09000030 28.9 35.3 40.3 49.8 58.8 41.1 44.9 49.1 53.3 63.2 
			 Wandsworth E09000032 27.1 30.7 37.7 45.9 60.7 49.8 52.5 54.0 59.7 61.8 
			 Westminster E09000033 33.3 49.5 51.5 60.0 58.7 47.0 49.7 52.9 62.7 63.5 
			             
			 Outer London E13000002 41.6 45.6 48.6 55.9 60.9 52.4 54.5 57.5 60.7 63.8 
			 Barking and Dagenham E09000002 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 39.7 39.2 45.1 51.6 57.2 
			 Barnet E09000003 52.4 46.2 52.8 55.4 60.2 60.4 62.6 62.4 68.5 69.7 
			 Bexley E09000004 47.7 51.9 59.6 67.5 63.5 50.8 52.1 57.6 59.4 64.2 
		
	
	
		
			 Brent E09000005 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 51.2 55.9 57.3 60.3 62.1 
			 Bromley E09000006 41.5 n/a n/a n/a n/a 56.9 60.2 63.4 65.8 67.9 
			 Croydon E09000008 29.4 32.6 38.1 42.3 55.3 53.7 55.7 57.8 57.9 62.8 
			 Ealing E09000009 31.5 35.1 36.8 52.0 36.9 50.6 53.5 55.4 59.4 59.2 
			 Enfield E09000010 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 47.6 48.1 50.5 55.3 59.5 
			 Greenwich E09000011 35.6 47.7 48.6 57.5 65.1 32.2 35.7 40.0 46.1 50.1 
			 Harrow E09000015 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 56.1 57.7 60.8 60.7 64.6 
			 Havering E09000016 46.4 48.6 49.6 56.6 59.5 73.1 74.0 79.8 77.4 76.3 
			 Hillingdon E09000017 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 45.1 46.6 52.3 56.1 59.7 
			 Hounslow E09000018 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 51.1 52.3 57.0 59.0 62.8 
			 Kingston upon Thames E09000021 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 61.8 62.7 68.4 68.8 71.2 
			 Merton E09000024 28.6 34.9 27.6 34.8 42.2 42.2 48.9 52.4 56.6 63.6 
			 Redbridge E09000026 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 61.9 64.4 64.9 69.8 69.2 
			 Richmond upon Thames E09000027 49.3 54.7 56.2 62.0 73.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Sutton E09000029 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 66.2 68.1 69.0 71.5 75.7 
			 Waltham Forest E09000031 35.3 31.7 41.4 n/a n/a 43.2 45.8 47.0 51.4 54.8 
			             
			 South East E12000008 47.0 50.2 52.7 56.2 59.5 51.2 53.1 55.0 58.9 60.8 
			 Bracknell Forest E06000036 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 48.4 51.5 51.3 56.9 59.6 
			 Brighton and Hove E06000043 42.9 44.4 47.3 48.7 56.6 46.5 47.9 44.6 52.0 52.3 
			 Buckinghamshire E10000002 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 60.9 63.6 65.7 67.3 70.0 
			 East Sussex E10000011 47.3 51.0 53.8 58.1 63.8 39.9 42.0 49.0 53.6 55.4 
			 Hampshire E10000014 51.8 54.1 56.2 59.3 61.8 52.3 56.2 55.5 61.9 62.7 
			 Isle of Wight E06000046 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 42.2 41.3 41.6 45.5 49.1 
			 Kent E10000016 19.3 21.4 27.3 31.3 38.9 51.6 52.4 54.0 59.0 61.1 
			 Medway E06000035 15.9 18.4 14.8 n/a n/a 48.0 48.8 52.9 53.6 55.7 
			 Milton Keynes E06000042 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 39.6 42.1 48.0 51.5 52.1 
			 Oxfordshire E10000025 51.2 59.0 59.7 60.3 59.8 47.7 49.3 52.1 57.0 57.2 
			 Portsmouth E06000044 33.6 39.9 40.9 44.6 47.3 n/a 0.0 2.4 0.0 2.4 
			 Reading E06000038 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 47.7 53.4 53.7 55.2 56.6 
			 Slough E06000039 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 57.6 59.9 59.6 63.5 68.5 
			 Southampton E06000045 36.2 39.9 43.3 49.1 52.0 67.3 66.3 69.1 62.4 62.8 
			 Surrey E10000030 50.0 51.7 54.8 57.1 59.9 57.5 60.8 62.2 65.9 66.8 
			 West Berkshire E06000037 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 53.4 52.9 54.9 60.7 60.1 
			 West Sussex E10000032 53.1 55.7 57.1 60.7 62.9 47.1 49.4 49.5 52.5 56.6 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead E06000040 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 54.9 57.9 59.7 63.6 63.3 
			 Wokingham E06000041 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 57.9 61.3 63.6 65.9 68.2 
			             
			 South West E12000009 41.7 43.4 46.8 50.6 54.2 50.6 52.7 54.9 58.4 60.2 
			 Isles of Scilly E06000053 64.7 69.6 80.0 68.2 68.4 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Bath and North East Somerset E06000022 42.9 51.4 52.1 51.9 57.9 52.8 58.8 62.0 63.8 65.9 
			 Bournemouth E06000028 35.5 36.0 40.2 44.0 46.5 64.2 66.3 65.8 72.5 70.7 
			 Bristol, City of E06000023 33.1 40.4 42.6 47.5 58.4 31.4 34.1 40.5 46.7 47.1 
			 Cornwall E06000052 43.8 43.9 50.4 54.6 55.0 44.5 43.6 48.0 53.5 54.9 
			 Devon E10000008 43.9 47.4 48.5 53.1 56.7 48.6 51.3 54.3 56.3 59.9 
			 Dorset E10000009 40.7 39.9 45.8 53.9 55.2 51.9 56.0 56.5 60.6 60.4 
			 Gloucestershire E10000013 43.0 44.7 47.1 49.6 52.4 60.8 63.5 63.9 66.3 68.7 
			 North Somerset E06000024 38.8 38.3 42.7 44.1 51.2 54.9 58.7 57.7 63.7 62.0 
			 Plymouth E06000026 13.7 5.4 n/a n/a n/a 44.8 47.0 49.4 54.3 57.1 
			 Poole E06000029 26.3 41.8 34.4 23.2 20.8 56.7 57.8 58.5 57.5 59.3 
			 Somerset E10000027 44.4 45.2 45.5 50.9 54.0 50.9 49.5 54.1 59.0 60.9 
			 South Gloucestershire E06000025 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 45.7 48.5 49.5 56.3 56.0 
			 Swindon E06000030 39.5 41.4 46.3 50.6 53.7 53.5 41.5 46.1 50.9 52.7 
			 Torbay E06000027 30.4 28.6 39.9 37.8 43.3 59.1 56.0 60.2 61.4 63.2 
		
	
	
		
			 Wiltshire E06000054 46.6 45.6 51.4 52.3 59.7 51.1 56.2 57.4 57.4 61.3 
			             
			 England (maintained sector)(1) E92000001 40.7 43.5 46.9 52.3 55.9 49.2 51.5 53.6 57.6 60.4 
			 n/a = Not applicable. (1) Pupils on roll aged 15 at the start of the academic year or at the end of key stage 4. (2) Presence of sixth form based on school’s status in Edubase on 28 March 2012, so represents a snapshot at this point in time. (3) Local authority, region and the England (maintained sector) figures in this table do not include pupils recently arrived from overseas. Local authority and regional figures cover achievements in maintained schools including academies but exclude hospital schools, pupil referral units (PRUs) and alternative provision (AP). (4) Figures For 2010/11 are revised, all other figures are final. The figures given from 2009/10 onwards includes iGCSEs. (5) Including attempts and achievement in previous academic years. (6) In 2009, Cheshire local authority split into Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester. Similarly, Bedfordshire LA split into Bedford and Central Bedfordshire.

GCSE: Disadvantaged

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to the answer of 19 April 2012, Official Report, columns 537-40W, on GCSE: disadvantaged, how many year 11 pupils eligible for free school meals in each academy were entered for (a) a history GCSE, (b) a geography GCSE, (c) a modern foreign language GCSE, (d) a physics GCSE, (e) a chemistry GCSE, (f) a biology GCSE, (g) a science GCSE, (h) an English GCSE, (i) an English literature GCSE, (j) a mathematics GCSE, (k) an OCR national level 2 qualification in information and communications technology and (l) a diploma in digital application in 2010-11.

Nick Gibb: The requested information for disadvantaged pupils at the end of key stage 4 has been placed in the House Libraries.

Grove School Nottinghamshire

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 17 May 2012, Official Report, column 316W, on Grove School: Nottinghamshire, whether his announcement on the outcome of applications for the Priority School Building Programme will indicate (a) the schools which will receive funding, (b) the amount they will receive and (c) the date by which they will receive it.

Nick Gibb: We announced the schools that will benefit from the Priority School Building Programme on 24 May.
	Schools that are in the programme are being contacted by staff at the Education Funding Agency (EFA), who are working with them to develop the proposals to rebuild the school or address their building condition needs. This work will include developing detailed cost estimates for the building work that is required at each school, which will form the basis of funding that will be provided by the Department when contracts are agreed.
	The programme will be procured centrally and schools will be grouped together in contracts that are attractive to bidders and value for money for the public sector. The timing and value of projects is subject to the development work that the EFA is now doing with schools. The first projects will be advertised to bidders this autumn, with further projects being advertised when they are ready.

Higher Education: Admissions

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of school leavers (a) in Leicester South constituency and (b) nationally entered higher education in the last two years.

Nick Gibb: 45% of the 2005/06 GCSE entrants in Leicester South entered higher education by 2009/10. This proportion was the same for 2004/05 GCSE entrants who entered higher education by 2008/09. The national proportions were 35% for 2005/06 GCSE entrants and 33% for 2004/05 GCSE entrants.
	The figures represent young people who were participating in higher education, regardless of level of study, in the 2008/09 or 2009/10 academic year, when this cohort would usually be academic age 19.

Home Education

Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children were being home-schooled in (a) Hampshire and (b) England in the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education does not hold information on the number of children being home-schooled in Hampshire or in England. In 2007, York Consulting published a report on the prevalence of home education in England. The report estimated that about 20,000 home-educated children were known to their local authority.

Home Education: Birmingham

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of children being home-schooled who were resident in Birmingham, Ladywood constituency in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education does not hold information on the number of children being home-schooled in Birmingham, Ladywood.

Meetings

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education on what dates (a) he, (b) Ministers and (c) senior officials in his Department have met representatives of (i) the Institute for Public Policy Research, (ii) the Taxpayers' Alliance, (iii) the Institute of Economic Affairs, (iv) the Child Poverty Action Group, (v) ResPublica, (vi) the Centre for Social Justice and (vii) Policy Exchange; and if he will publish the minutes and agendas of these meetings.

Tim Loughton: A list of external meetings attended by the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), and the Department's other Ministers are published on the Department's website(1). A list of external meetings attended by the Permanent Secretary is also published on the website(2). We are unable to provide details of external meetings attended by other senior officials as this information can be gathered only at disproportionate cost.
	Regarding minutes and agendas from the meetings detailed in the above-mentioned returns, it is not Government policy to publish these documents.
	Please note that the published lists of external meetings include details of official departmental meetings. They do not include, for example, details of speaking engagements or informal gatherings. We are unable to provide such details as this information can be gathered only at disproportionate cost.
	(1)http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/departmentalinformation/transparency/b0065263/ministers-quarterly-returns
	(2)http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/departmentalinformation/transparency/meetings/a0075403/the-permanent-secretarys-meetings-with-external-organisations

Ministers' Private Offices

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the civil service grade is of each member of staff in his private ministerial office.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 24 May 2012
	There are nine civil servants in the Secretary of State's private office. This is made up as follows:
	
		
			 Grade Number of staff 
			 Executive Assistant 2 
			 Executive Officer 2 
			 Higher Executive Officer/HEOD 2 
			 Grade 6 2 
			 Senior Civil Service 1 
			 Total 9

Official Visits: Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the (a) venue, (b) purpose, (c) agenda items and (d) conclusions were of his meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Liberman during his visit to London; and at whose initiative the meeting was sought.

Tim Loughton: The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), did not meet the Israeli Foreign Minister Liberman during his visit to London.

Departmental Administration Costs

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish a statement of his Department's expenditure in each of the last 36 months; and what steps his Department is taking to avoid an annual underspend.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education’s expenditure is published annually and available on the Treasury website as follows. The year from April 2011 to March 2012 is currently being audited by NAO and once the accounts have received an audit certificate and are signed they will be laid before Parliament and published.
	Full accounts for previous years are available on the Accounting Schedule at the link:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/departmentalinformation/reports/a00390/anual0departmental-reports-accounts-and-spending-reviews
	Monthly figures are available via the following link:
	http://data.gov.uk
	Planning, funding and control
	The Department for Education currently has management accounting systems which enable it to monitor performance against budget and exercise effective control on a day to day basis. There is a system of planning including production of a corporate plan and an annual operating plan.
	There are systems to ensure that there is a continual evaluation of results against key targets. These include financial and non-financial targets and cover both the quantity and quality of outputs, and the value for money that is being achieved. Targets are reset each year.
	Further documentation is available regarding financial management.
	Budgetary guidance
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/psr_bc_consolidated_budgeting.htm

Departmental Administration Costs

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much was spent on the administration of his Department in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12.

Tim Loughton: The administration expenditure for the Department for the last three years is as follows:
	
		
			 £ million 
			  2009-10 Outturn 2010-11 Outturn 2011-12 Forecast 
			 Administration 185,465 172,484 — 
			 Restated — 383,716 363,645 
		
	
	The figures for 2010-11 and 2011-12 were revised to reflect the reclassification of the Department's arm’s- length bodies.

Private Education: Education Maintenance Allowance

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to the answer of 25 April 2012, Official Report, column 932W, on private education, how many recipients of the education maintenance allowance were enrolled at independent special needs schools in academic year 2010-11.

Nick Gibb: In the academic year 2010/11, 2,269 recipients of the education maintenance allowance were enrolled in independent special schools funded by local authorities. Of these, 2,010 received the top rate of £30 a week.

Public Sector

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many new public sector mutuals were created or spun-off by his Department in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: The Department has not created or spun-off any public sector mutuals in 2010-11 or 2011-12.

Publications

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education to which newspapers, periodicals and trade profession publications his private Ministerial office subscribes on a (a) daily, (b) weekly, (c) monthly and (d) quarterly basis.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 24 May 2012
	The Secretary of State's private office subscribes to the following newspapers and periodicals:
	The Wall Street Journal
	The Financial Times
	The Guardian
	The Independent
	The Daily Mail
	The Daily Express
	The Daily Mirror
	The Sun
	The Times
	The Daily Telegraph
	The Economist
	New Statesman
	The Spectator
	Times Higher Education
	Times Educational Supplement
	London Review of Books
	The New York Review of Books

Publications

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) circulars and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department in each of the last two years.

Tim Loughton: The Department ceased issuing formal circulars in 2005. Information relevant to schools, children's services and work forces is now published on our website.
	http://www.education.gov.uk/search/results?q=circulars
	The Department issued 38 consultations online in 2010 and 36 consultations online in 2011.

Publications

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) circulars and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department in each of the last two years.

Tim Loughton: The Department ceased issuing formal circulars in 2005. Information relevant to schools, children’s services and workforces is now published on our website:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/search/results?q=circulars
	The Department issued 38 consultations online in 2010 and 36 consultations online in 2011.

Pupil Exclusions: Offensive Weapons

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  how many pupils were permanently excluded from secondary schools in England for being in possession of a weapon (a) in total and (b) as a proportion of all exclusions in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many pupils were permanently excluded from secondary schools in each local authority area for being in possession of a weapon (a) in total and (b) as a proportion of all exclusions in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: The Department does not specifically collect data on the number of pupils permanently excluded for being in possession of a weapon.
	Information on the reason for exclusion is collected under the following categories:
	physical assault against a pupil/adult; verbal abuse/threatening behaviour against a pupil/adult; bullying; racist abuse; sexual misconduct; drug and alcohol related; damage; theft; persistent disruptive behaviour; and other. Exclusions resulting from a pupil carrying an offensive weapon are recorded under the category ‘verbal abuse/threatening behaviour’ but cannot be separately identified.
	The latest data on permanent exclusions by reason at national and local authority level were published in Tables 9 and 21, respectively, of the “Permanent and Fixed Period Exclusions from Schools in England” Statistical First Release on 28 July 2011 at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001016/index.shtml

Pupils: South East

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much additional funding his Department plans to make available to schools in (a) Dartford, (b) Kent and (c) the South East as a result of the pupil premium.

Nick Gibb: The Pupil Premium was introduced in April 2011 and allocations have so far been made for the 2011-12 financial year only. For 2011-12 the Pupil Premium funding was £488 per pupil in respect of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals (FSM), and for children in care who have been continuously looked after for at least six months and £200 per pupil for those whose parents are serving in the armed forces.
	In 2012-13 the pupil premium amount in respect of pupils known to be eligible for FSM has risen from £488 to £600 per FSM pupil and will be extended to cover pupils who have been eligible for FSM at any point within the last six years. Allocations for the Pupil Premium in 2012-13 will not be confirmed until June, when the January 2012 pupil numbers are available centrally.
	Based on 2011-12 data, over £125.4 million Pupil Premium funding would be available to the south east in 2012-13. This includes over £24.4 million for Kent county council, of which over £1.6 million would be available to schools in the Dartford constituency. Final allocations will not be known until June.

School Meals: Nutrition

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to the answer of 17 January 2012, Official Report, column 801W, on free schools, what definition of healthy food his Department uses.

Sarah Teather: The definition the Department uses of healthy food is food that meets national school food standards.

Schools: Finance

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the average per pupil unit of funding was for (a) primary and (b) secondary schools including the pupil premium in each of the last six academic years.

Nick Gibb: Funding per pupil, in real terms, for the 2005-06 to 2010-11 financial years was:
	
		
			  Funding (£) 
			 2005-06 4,500 
			 2006-07 4,630 
			 2007-08 4,830 
			 2008-09 4,900 
			 2009-10 5,020 
			 2010-11 5,140 
			 Notes: 1. This covers funding through the Dedicated Schools Grant, School Standards Grant, School Standards Grant (Personalisation) and Standards Fund. It excludes grants that are not allocated at local authority level. 2. Price Base:Real terms at 2010-11 prices, based on GDP deflators as at December 2011 3. These figures are for all funded pupils aged three to 19 as funded through the Dedicated Schools Grant. 4. Figures have been rounded to the nearest £10. 5. The Pupil Premium was introduced in April 2011 so is not included in these figures.

Schools: Inspections

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what consideration Ofsted inspectors give to different levels of funding for schools around the country when conducting school assessments.

Nick Gibb: This question is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, has written to my hon. Friend, and a copy of his response has been placed in the House Libraries.
	Letter from Sir Michael Wilshaw, dated 22 May 2012
	Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, for response.
	Under the current inspection framework, introduced in January 2012, Ofsted does not assess a school’s funding levels or sources of income. Inspectors make a judgement about the quality of education provided by the school, that is, its overall effectiveness. Any school that is judged to be inadequate by Ofsted is; by definition, not providing value for money. However, should inspectors identify significant mismanagement of resources in the course of their investigations this will be reflected in the judgement on leadership and management.
	The draft inspection framework, which will be introduced from September 2012, retains the same principles with some important amendments. Inspectors will be required to assess the impact of the pupil premium, as part of Ofsted’s focus on the extent to which schools enable pupils to overcome barriers to learning and ensure that no group of pupils achieves less well than their peers. Ofsted will also give greater prominence to the role of governors in determining the effectiveness of leadership in, and management of, the school. As part of this evaluation inspectors will consider the steps taken by governors to ensure solvency and probity.
	A copy of this reply has been sent to Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for Schools, and will be placed in the library of both Houses.

Schools: Transport

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what guidelines his Department issues to local education authorities on spending funding for denominational transport subsidies allocated by his Department;
	(2)  whether his Department has given or plans to give any funding to Lancashire County Council for denominational transport subsidies in financial year 2011-12; and what the value was of any such funding;
	(3)  whether his Department has given or plans to give any funding to local education authorities for denominational transport subsidies in financial year 2011-12;
	(4)  whether his Department gave any funding to Lancashire County Council for denominational transport subsidies in financial year 2011-12; and what the value was of any such funding;
	(5)  whether his Department gave any funding to local education authorities for denominational transport subsidies in financial year 2010-11;
	(6)  whether his Department has allocated any funding to local education authorities for denominational transport subsidies; and on what basis the allocation of any such funding to each authority is decided.

Tim Loughton: The vast majority of funding for all home to school transport, including any elements to support transport to schools with a religious character, is provided to local authorities through a combination of Revenue Support Grant paid via the Department for Communities and Local Government and locally collected taxes. The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) allocated £85 million to support local authorities in meeting their statutory duty in respect of extended rights to travel for 2011-12 and 2012-13. Lancashire received £1,486,500 in 2011-12 and £1,844,247 in 2012-13. It is for local authorities to decide how they use this funding, as we do not issue any guidance specifying how local authorities should exercise their discretion.

Senior Civil Servants: Redundancy

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many severance payments have been made to senior civil servants in each section of his Department since May 2010; and what the size was of each payment.

Tim Loughton: The Department has made 13 early release payments to senior civil servants under the terms of the civil service compensation scheme. Fewer than five releases have been made in each directorate. The amounts paid are shown in the following table
	
		
			 Amount Number of releases 
			 0-49,999 Fewer than 5 
			 50,000-99,999 Fewer than 5 
			 100,000-149,999 Fewer than 5 
			 150,000-199,999 Fewer than 5 
			 200,000-249,999 Fewer than 5 
			 250,000-299,999 0 
			 300,000-349,999 0 
			 350,000-399,999 0 
			 400,000-449,999 Fewer than 5

Stakeholder Advocacy Group

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he has received representations on the Civil Service Code of Conduct in relation to the Stakeholder Advocacy Group.

Tim Loughton: The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) has not received any representations on the Civil Service Code of Conduct in relation to the stakeholder and advocacy team.

Surveys

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what the level of satisfaction with senior civil servants and departmental leadership was in each section in his Department in the last staff survey;
	(2)  which section of his Department incurred the lowest staff satisfaction levels in the most recent staff survey.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education takes part in the annual Civil Service People Survey. The most recent results available are from the People Survey carried out in October 2011.
	Survey results do not provide Government Departments with a specific satisfaction level but an engagement index which measures how engaged our staff are with the Department in terms of: their work; their understanding of their organisation's objectives and purpose; their manager; experiences of learning and career development; inclusion and fair treatment; resources and workload; pay and benefits; and, leadership and managing change.
	The top line of the following table provides the engagement index for each of the Department's main Directorates. The engagement index has been developed as a way of measuring how engaged civil servants are with the organisation they work for and is the headline measure of the survey. The engagement index is based on the respondents' level of agreement with the following five statements using a five point strongly agree to strongly disagree scale:
	I feel proud when I tell others I am part of DFE
	I would recommend DFE as a great place to work
	I feel a strong personal attachment to DFE
	DFE inspires me to do the best in my job
	DFE motivates me to help it achieve its objectives.
	Education Standards Directorate and Infrastructure and Funding Directorate both received a 1% lower score than the highest scoring Directorate. Their scores were however in line with the overall departmental engagement index. The table also shows the percentage of positive responses to questions relating to senior civil servants and the departmental leadership in DFE for each of the Directorates.
	
		
			 Percentage 
			  Civil service DFE Children, Young People and Families Directorate Education Standards Directorate Infrastructure and Funding Directorate 
			 Engagement index 56 59 60 59 59 
			 B41. Senior Civil Servants (SCS) in DFE are sufficiently visible 46 53 59 50 55 
			 B42. I believe the actions of senior civil servants(SCS) are consistent with DFE's values 39 46 48 45 48. 
			 B43. I believe that the DFE Board has a clear vision for the future of the DFE 39 43 44 42 43 
			 B44. Overall, I have confidence in the decisions made by DFE's senior civil servants (SCS) 36 43 45 40 45 
			 B55.I believe that senior civil servants (SCS) in DFE will take action on the results from this survey 39 45 45 43 48 
			 F06. Decisions on development opportunities by SCS in my area are open and transparent and actively address the development needs for staff in underrepresented groups (DFE question only) — 30 28 30 32

Teachers: Training

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what budget he has allocated for teachers' professional development in 2012-13.

Nick Gibb: We do not prescribe how much of a school's budget should be used for teachers' professional development. Decisions relating to teachers' professional development rightly rest with schools, individual teachers and head teachers as they are in the best position to make judgments about relative spending priorities and requirements.
	The Government's approach to teachers' professional development is based on research that shows that teachers learn best from other professionals through observing teaching, being observed, and receiving feedback from peers. To support this we are creating a national network of teaching schools on the model of teaching hospitals. In addition, we have launched a National Scholarship Fund for teachers to encourage more teachers to deepen their subject knowledge.

Teachers: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he has received any requests from the Welsh Government for the National Assembly for Wales to have responsibility for determining teachers' pay and conditions in Wales in the event that UK-wide pay rates are ended.

Nick Gibb: The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) has not received any requests from the Welsh Government for it to have responsibility for determining the pay and conditions of teachers in Wales in the event that national pay rates in England and Wales are ended.
	The Welsh Government has submitted evidence around the pay and conditions of teachers in Wales to the independent School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) and advocates a national system of pay and conditions for teachers.

Truancy

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will assess the relative effects of different reasons for absence from school on levels of achievement at each key stage; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The effect that poor attendance at school can have on a child's education can be permanent and damaging.
	Pupil absence is categorised as either authorised or unauthorised. Authorised absence is absence with permission from a teacher or other authorised representative of the school. This includes instances of absences for which a satisfactory explanation has been provided (for example, illness). Unauthorised absence is absence without permission from a teacher or other authorised representative of the school. This includes all unexplained or unjustified absences. Arriving late for school, after the register has closed, is recorded as unauthorised absence.
	A pupil is classified as a persistent absentee if they miss at least 15% of school sessions due to any combination of authorised and unauthorised absence.
	In 2009/10, pupils who had never been classified as persistent absentees during key stage 2, were twice as likely to achieve level 4 or above in English and maths as pupils who were persistently absent for each of the four key stage 2 years (78.3% compared with 38.6%). Similarly, pupils who had not been persistently absent in both of their key stage 4 years, were almost four times more likely to achieve five or more A*-C grades at GCSE (including English and maths) as pupils who were persistent absentees in both key stage 4 years (60% compared with 16.3%).
	Analysis of 2009/10 absence data shows the number, length and reason for absences were associated with lower pupil attainment. However this analysis did not take account of the characteristics of the absent pupils—their lower attainment could be explained by other characteristics (such as low prior attainment) rather than the reason for the absence itself.
	At key stage 2(1), pupils with absences due to exclusion had the lowest attainment, followed by traveller absence, unauthorised family holidays, absences where no reason has been given and lateness (both are classified as unauthorised) followed by pupils who have been absent due to illness and medical or dental appointments. Then lastly absences due to religious observance, study leave and authorised family holidays had similar patterns of attainment.
	At key stage 4(2), pupils with absences due to exclusion had the lowest attainment, followed by traveller absence, lateness, absences where no reason has been given and unauthorised family holidays, then authorised family holidays, followed by absences due to illness and medical or dental appointments. Pupils with small amounts of absence due to study leave have above average levels of attainment.
	These findings were included in the publication 'A profile of pupil absence in England':
	https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/DFE-RR171.pdf
	(1) See charts 4.4 and 4.5 in ‘A profile of pupil absence in England’ at the above link.
	(2) See Charts 4.11 and 4.12 in ‘A profile of pupil absence in England’ at the above link.